Loyola Marymount University Project

LMU School of Education: “In accordance with the Mission of Loyola Marymount University, the faculty, staff, and students of the School of Education understand and declare our purpose to be the encouragement of life-long learning and academic excellence, the education of the whole person, and the promotion of service and justice for all. The faulty, staff and students of the School of Education strive to work collaboratively in a student-centered environment to be professionals who act to: value and respect all individuals, promote social justice, promote cultural responsiveness, integrate theory and practice, develop moral, intellectual, responsible, and caring leaders, and collaborate and share leadership across communities.”

1.    Education 6424: “Organizational Management for Student Learning: Political, Economic, and Legal Frames of Diverse Students, Families, Staff, and Community,” Institute of School Leadership and Administration (ISLA) at Loyola Marymount University School of Education. Janeen Steel Esq., Executive Director, co-wrote and is co-teaching this graduate course for future principals.
The goals of the course is to provide future principals with a variety of opportunities to explore the degree to which the knowledge, skills, and dispositions associated with their work as a leader and a learner might contribute to quality of student learning and professional growth for diverse students, families, staff and community. Within this course, there is an intentional focus on relevant specifics for charter school models, considering both the opportunities and challenges unique to this system for the candidate’s work as a learning leader.Students in the course learn: (1) The importance of accountability to and by all stakeholders; (2) The use of the symbolic, political, legal, economic, and legal frames for decisions about his/her school; (3) The basic tenants of IDEA, ADA, Section 504, and their importance to children with special needs; (4) The IEP process and document; (5)  The role of parents as partners in the educational experience of children; (6) Issues of social justice that serve as barriers to school success for diverse learning communities.
2.    Education 6382:  ”Professional Ethics, Legal Mandates, and Political Relationships,” Janeen Steel Esq., Executive Director, teaches this graduate course in the summer for the School Counseling Department at Loyola Marymount School of Education.
This graduate level course will emphasize the development of knowledge and understanding of ethics, laws, regulations, and best practices for pupil personnel professionals. The course content will consist of an overview of critical issues relevant to professionals working with minors within the school setting. Students participate in the discussion and analysis of the guidelines for compliance with state and federal mandates relating to the legal rights and responsibilities of minors, parents, and those who care for and educate children and adolescents. This course includes a variety of instructional methodologies including lecture, case studies, large and small group discussions, and cooperative/collaborative learning activities.