Case Study #3: Learning Research and Community Decision Making

STEP 1: Introduction/Understanding of the Problem(s): Understanding and/or stating the problem – Describe the situation of the case, including the problem context and problem statement(s) and the exploratory question(s) that the author is investigating in the case.

  • What are the problem(s) in Superintendent Smith’s district? ELCC 5.3, 6.1
  • What connections can be made between the district setting and the larger educational context with regards to policy and political implications within the school district and community? ELCC 6.1
  • What are ethical issues associated with these problem(s)? ELCC 5.3

STEP 2: Summary of the Case: During this phase, main points and critical issues of the case should be briefly described and summarized; critical details should be synthesized in a way that reflects your individual interpretation.

  • Identify the key challengeswithin Superintendent Smith’s community and school district that contributed to the problem(s) ELCC 6.1
  • Identify what Superintendent Smith did correctly in this situation and what mistakes, either procedurally or in judgment, that he made, which resulted in the failure of his initiative. ELCC 6.1
  • Provide supporting details/evidence from the case ELCC 6.1

STEP 3: Frameworks for Analysis: Use your experience, research, and class readings and discussions to inform, formulate and/or identify possible approaches or frames from which to analyze the case.

  • What theories, research, course readings, and other framing concepts could be utilized in analyzing the problem(s) facing Superintendent Smith’s in his district? ELCC 6.1
  • Untangle the components of the case for the reader by applying these theories, research, and other concepts (drawing from class readings and discussions, as well as your knowledge base as an experienced practitioner). ELCC 5.1, 5.2, 6.2
  • Critically evaluate this case using at least 2 perspectives/frames to support your answer to the following questions:
  • What did Superintendent Smith do correctly in this situation?
  • What mistakes, either procedurally or in judgment, did Superintendent Smith make, which resulted in the failure of his initiative?

STEP 4: Goals, Challenges, Potential Outcomes, and Consequences: Reflecting on and projecting goals, /anticipating challenges/projecting potential outcomes, anticipating consequences, and moving toward advocacy or action.

  • Analyze and evaluate how Superintendent Smith addressed (or not) and articulated the district vision of learningELCC1.1, 1.2
  • Analyze the leadership challenges that Superintendent Smith faced while implementing his change plan for learning ELCC 1.4
  • Analyze and evaluate how Superintendent Smith promoted community involvement in his change plan for learning ELCC 1.5
  • What were the intended and unintended consequences of Superintendent Smith’schange plan to enhance student achievement by changing the start times of the district schools?
  • In hindsight, what course of actions should Superintendent Smith have taken to address these unintended consequences and challenges? ELCC3.1, 3.2

STEP 5: Leadership Lessons: Take aways/Leadership lessons

  • Whatleadership lessons can you take from this case?
  • How might the lessons learned from this case be used to help create and implement a vision of learning in your own district? ELCC 1.1, 1.3
  • How might the lessons learned from this case be used to help apply best practices to student learning in your own district? ELCC 2.3
  • How might the lessons learned from this case be used to counter organized resistance in your own district? ELCC 4.1
  • How might the lessons learned from this case be used to mobilize community resources in your own district? ELCC 4.3
  • What are your continuing questions?

Writing/Grammar/References using APA style

  • Technical writing and grammar needs to be both accurate and compelling
  • Paper needs to show strong evidence of editing and proofreading
  • Citations within the text need to be consistent, accurate, and consistent with APA
  • References need to be complete, comprehensive, and consistent with APA