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4.4 Case studies: developing decision making skills in diverse

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Traditional print case studies have been a long-standing instructional strategy for educational leadership preparation programs. With the advent of interactive online environments, the possibilities for simulations have increased exponentially—opening the way for data-rich, complex cases that the instructor can easily situate in diverse settings. One program offering such a problem-solving experience is Educational Theory into Practice Software (ETIPS). ETIPS is a federally funded program developed by professors of educational administration as a tool to teach data-based decision-making skills. Available for both pre-service and in-service use, ETIPS provides 10 problems that can each be situated in nine schools. The options for schools include elementary, middle, and high schools in rural, urban, and suburban settings with low, average, or high academic achievement.

Ncpea publications

This manuscript has been peer-reviewed, accepted, and endorsed by the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration (NCPEA) as a significant contribution to the scholarship and practice of education administration. In addition to publication in the Connexions Content Commons, this module is published in the NCPEA Handbook of Online Instruction and Programs in Education Leadership, ISBN 978-1-4507-7263-1.

    Editors

  • Janet Tareilo, Stephen F. Austin State University
  • Brad Bizzell, Virginia Tech

    Associate Editors

  • Beverly Irby, Sam Houston State University
  • Rosemary Papa, Northern Arizona University
  • Thomas Valesky, Florida Gulf Coast University
  • Theodore Creighton, Virginia Tech

    About the Author

  • Samuel Smith is an Associate Professor at Liberty University where he teaches courses in education administration and works with schools in the preparation of school leaders. He was instrumental in the field testing of the ETIPS initiative.

Educational theory into practice

Educational Theory into Practice Software (ETIPS) is an online case study program intended for use by professors of education administration. The program was developed by Sara Dexter and Pamela D. Tucker of the University of Virginia and was tested by various other universities throughout Virginia. The author, a member of the testbed group, outlines in this chapter the theoretical framework, elaborating on the advantages of interactive, authentically contextualized online case studies over traditional print scenarios. Emphasis is given to the outcomes of the program, which are to strengthen candidates’ skills in data analysis, problem solving, and collaborative decision making. ETIPS enhances practical leadership skills for those who serve on the frontlines. With the rapid growth of online principal preparation programs, this tool clearly represents a change in preparation. Readers will learn not only from the testbed study itself but will gain valuable information to maximize the use of traditional print case studies as well.

Considering the bleak analysis of the state of educational-administration university programs offered in Arthur Levine’s (2005, March) report entitled Educating School Leaders, developments such as ETIPS serve as a fitting response. Levine concluded in his critique that the curriculum in university programs was irrelevant and desperately lacking in meaningful experiences connecting theory to practice. Within weeks of these scathing statements, Levine (2005, April) wrote the following comment in The Chronicle of Higher Education:
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Source:  OpenStax, Ncpea handbook of online instruction and programs in education leadership. OpenStax CNX. Mar 06, 2012 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11375/1.24
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