This article features Christopher Steinhauser, superintendent of the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), and his contributions to the district. Steinhauser, who himself attended the city's public schools and California State University at Long Beach and has worked for the district in various capacities over the past 27 years, fits right…

Purpose: School superintendents are charged with maintaining the safety and security of the schools in their district. One major recognized threat to the security and safety of students and staff is the use of illegal drugs. Superintendents are responding to the constitutionality of student drug-testing policies by implementing drug-testing…

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the legal knowledge of Pennsylvania superintendents regarding summative teacher evaluation and to determine whether their knowledge level was adequate. Pennsylvania was selected for this state-wide study of superintendent's legal knowledge of teacher evaluation for two reasons. First, Pennsylvania…

The author has lived in two worlds for many years. As a former band director and musician, he was constantly immersed in the world of creativity. Even today, after 36 years in educational administration, he spends his weekends judging band contests that require long hours at very low pay. He does so because he enjoys the creativity and enthusiasm…

The position of school superintendent arose a century ago in an educational system which, although public, was administratively separate from government. Today, social changes necessitate that a superintendent be involved in areas other than school policy. While fulfilling his myriad responsibilities, he must be a leader not only in the formation…

The nooks and crannies in the office of Bill McNeal, superintendent in Wake County, NC, suggest the occupant is one wildly enthusiastic follower of The Wizard of Oz. It is chock full of memorabilia of Dorothy Gale, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion, a carousel of the Emerald City and various books on the subject--most of the items…

Whatever the reason for the firing, the most confident of administrators will encounter feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy upon being dismissed. It will naturally raise feelings of anger, spite, vindictiveness and bitterness. The first reaction of anyone is typically to look outside of oneself for "the real reason" or for someone to blame.…

This volume presents the 2010 Yearbook of the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration (NCPEA). This year's theme is "Promoting Critical Ideas of Leadership, Culture and Diversity." This yearbook contains five parts. Part 1, Invited Chapters, includes the following: (1) President's Message: Critical Issues in…

Conflict is a natural and pervasive, but often misunderstood, force that thrives in all human societies. Conflict is an inherent part of the school environment because of the labor-intensive nature of the school setting. As district leaders, school superintendents are surrounded daily by diverse groups of people who have their own needs and…

As schools and districts across the nation and state face the added pressures brought on by increased accountability through the NCLB Act, school leaders must reconcile the changing demographics of their districts, the various educational needs of their students and the political and socio-cultural aspects of such shifts while meeting expected…

Executive leadership positions in public schools in the United States are dominated by white males. Equitable representation is not currently present for females in the role of public school superintendents (Mertz, 2006). The superintendency maintains the status as the least gender-diverse executive position in the country (Bjork, 2000; Grogan…

The math problem is common to most U.S. school districts, and education leaders are well aware that U.S. math achievement lags far behind many other countries in the world. University Place (Washington) School District Superintendent Patti Banks found the conspicuous income gap for math scores even more disturbing. In her school district, only 23%…

The purpose of this study was to broadly examine and analyze gender differences in the leadership styles of Texas public school superintendents by analyzing their subordinates' responses on Bolman and Deal's (1991) Leadership Orientations (Other) survey. Approximately 25% (n = 484) of the high-ranking administrators within the 198 selected school…

The purpose of this study is to determine the perceptions of New York State superintendents and board presidents in high-achieving and low-achieving school districts on the six superintendent leadership responsibilities identified by Waters and Marzano (2006) and their relationship to improving student achievement: (1) creating research-relevant…

Serving as an effective school board member today requires time, a sincere interest in public education and a commitment to improving student learning for all. This guide, written for new and prospective school board members, addresses such topics as the governance role of school boards, the board-superintendent relationship, leadership…