Describes the results of a survey of superintendents and high school principals in Georgia to determine their attitude to foreign language study. Findings suggest that foreign language teachers in Georgia need to capitalize on this positive attitude. (Author/BK)

Offers advice for selection of a new superintendent. (WD)

A superintendent questions a reporter about newspaper coverage of the schools. (IRT)

School boards do not always say what they mean when they list qualities they want in a new superintendent, and candidates for the office of superintendent are equally roundabout in their statements. This article explains the intent of some common statements made by both groups. (WD)

Emphasizes the need for communication between boards and superintendents and offers specific suggestions to improve relationships between them. Areas discussed include selection procedures, evaluation of superintendents, and the maintenance of board credibility. (IRT)

School administrators in the Yakima School District have effectively formed teams that propose and develop position papers that are mutually negotiated with the chief administrator. (Author/MLF)

Presents results of a three-year qualitative study of 12 women superintendents to identify their ways of succeeding. Respondents successfully balanced role- and gender-related sets of expectations, focused on children, communicated effectively in a masculinized culture, incorporated traditionally feminine behaviors into their administrative role,…

Faced with a late-season superintendent search, many districts defer the formal search-and-hire process and entice a senior administrator or former superintendent to serve a one- or two-year stint. One appealing alternative is an abbreviated search. Boards should advertise immediately and efficiently, develop their own criteria, recruit…

Current community-engagement models, which relegate the public's role to insignificant activities, play into special-interest groups' hands. One new approach creates alternative forms of community forums to encourage public deliberation. Forums frame issues to invite deliberation; allow participants to deliberate, not debate issues; and provide…

Calculates average tenure of superintendents in 25 major cities since 1900. Superintendents' length of service has been decreasing, but not as precipitously as the press proclaims. A complex mix of environmental, local, and professional factors is responsible. The 1990 average of 5.76 years raises questions concerning the relationship of…

A survey of 302 Ohio superintendents showed that principals assessed as having difficulties with "problem solving and decision making" and "delegating and monitoring" responsibilities were unlikely to succeed in their jobs. Although superintendents intervened with conferencing and/or goal-setting strategies, only 21.6% of the…

Far too often, school boards and superintendent candidates are constrained by flaws in traditional search strategies. The best matches occur when school boards proactively recruit a targeted group of "best-fit" candidates, assure applicant confidentiality, ban inappropriate community and staff participation, outlaw candidate pools limited by…

Now in its 10th year, the National Superintendent of the Year Award recognizes outstanding executive leadership, based on candidates' prowess at meeting students' needs, communication skills, administrative knowledge, and community involvement. The nine previous winners are still working in education, regard the award as a career highlight, and…

Describes how superintendents and principals of small, rural school districts can implement the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act. (PKP)

Describes the superintendent's role in training members of the school board to lead. (PKP)