Course Introduction

This course focuses on the basic concepts in public school budgeting and accounting as they relate to educational needs and building and district vision. It covers fund accounting, budgets for schools, how to prioritize spending, and tax rates. Specific topics to be reviewed include reviewing budgets for schools, analyzing school financial statements, understanding appropriations, and the school funding formula, and well as creating equitable systems at the school level based upon funding

Learning Outcomes & Alignment to NELP Standards

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Evaluate and analyze various school budgeting scenarios in order to support student learning outcomes and student improvement;
• Advocate for student learning using the evaluation techniques learned;
• Implement school budgets that promote the mission and vision of the school
• Communicate resource needs in order to promote each student’s learning needs
• Use date-informed analysis to create equitable resourcing plans

The content of this course satisfies requirements associated with the National Educational Leadership Program (NELP) Standards for Building-Level Licensure. Specifically, the course addresses NELP Standard 6, which states: Candidates who successfully complete a building-level educational leadership preparation program understand and demonstrate the capacity to promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to improve management, communication, technology, school-level governance, and operation systems to develop and improve data-informed and equitable school resource plans and to apply laws, policies, and regulations. Specifically, this course addresses components 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3: 

Component 6.1 Program completers understand and demonstrate the capacity to evaluate, develop, and implement management, communication, technology, school-level governance, and operation systems that support each student’s learning needs and promote the mission and vision of the school. 

Component 6.2 Program completers understand and demonstrate the capacity to evaluate, develop, and advocate for a data-informed and equitable resourcing plan that supports school improvement and student development. 

Component 6.3 Program completers understand and demonstrate the capacity to reflectively evaluate, communicate about, and implement laws, rights, policies, and regulations to promote student and adult success and well-being.

Process for Study

The most important skill to bring to the table in this course is the ability to ask questions and think about complex situations from many different lenses.  Students are expected to devote time to read and communicate with our class through postings on our course site. My goal as your instructor is to partner with you to help improve your leadership skills and theoretical framework in the areas of school budgeting and finance. This process will enable you as a school leader to confront the many issues that will arise in your own practice with confidence and a level of expertise. Using textbooks, articles, videos, and interviews, the students will be able to examine and think about school budgets and finance from many different viewpoints. 

Course Information

3 credit hour course

Online format

Students should have a working knowledge of navigating an online course including using technology and the course platform. Since this is an online course, students should have access to a computer, basic software, email,  and an adequate internet connection. Technology assistance will not be provided by the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to be well versed in the technology demands necessary to complete the course.