"School personnel from rural and urban school districts had important differences in attitude when compared to school personnel from central city school districts concerning the role of the superintendent in collective negotiations and the scope and structure of the collective negotiation process. (Author)

Research about job aspects that school superintendents, principals, and supervisors find most stressful is summarized. Sources of stress among Tennessee school administrators, for example, include administrative tasks, such as complying with state and federal policies, dealing with teachers and parents, and personal adjustment problems. (PP)

Three approaches an assistant superintendent might take to correct discipline problems at an elementary school characterized by weak administrative leadership are discussed. The approaches focus on: (1) professional development for the principal; (2) teacher improvement; and (3) cooperation among parents and school personnel. (PP)

A survey of 57 Minnesota school districts about participants in district curriculum decisionmaking reveals a heavy involvement by principals in both curriculum coordination and development. Teachers are less involved in coordination than in the development process. Community members are almost totally excluded, and students are excluded.…

In order to supply advice to teacher job seekers, 445 Iowa superintendents were surveyed about their teacher hiring practices and their preferences on such matters as letters of application, resume format, and appearance and behavior of candidates during the job interview. The questionnaire, tabulated results, and narrative responses are included.…

The role of the superintendent as a societal architect is one which combines the needs of clients with the superintendent's educational beliefs and philosophy. This role creates a learning environment that deals with the future needs of society. (CJ)

Some superintendents'"zero-tolerance" stance on guns, drugs, and disruptive student behavior conflicts with federal laws (Individuals with Disabilities Act and Americans with Disabilities Act), which apply a "zero-reject" policy to many categories of students with disabilities. Superintendents should revamp policies and…

A recent doctoral research study suggests that a husband's support may have a powerful effect on females entering and succeeding at the superintendency. All married respondents (14 out of 21) entered the job with strong spousal support and said this support was necessary for undertaking the role. A majority said the price was high and they would…

Describes how a citizen's advisory committee in Arlington County, Virginia formulated criteria that the school board could use in recruiting and appointing a new superintendent. The final recommendations focused on two categories of superintendent attributes--educational leadership and personal qualifications. (LMI)

A middle-aged educator with over two decades in the superintendency describes his search for a job and his eventual acceptance of a professorship. Job seekers must be committed to working, have clear-headed retirement plans, believe in themselves, and produce superlative resumes. Sidebars by Cynthia Clarke list online job-hunting resources and…

Ten years ago the new superintendent of District 11 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, learned the proposed budget was $12 million out of balance. Now the district has sound financial backing thanks to improving business practices. (MLF)

Data on characteristics of superintendents of American residential schools for the deaf were gathered in a 1999 survey. Comparison with characteristics of superintendents of public schools found the groups shared beliefs about their essential responsibilities but differed in how they characterized their relationships with their governing boards.…

From a random sample of 3,744 school board members, responses from 968 (26 percent) ranked 17 facets of school board service. Additional data include views from 250 superintendents and demographic, personal, and school board information presented as national averages and by region. Finally, listings of major problems are compared with concerns of…

The school board's decision not to renew the contract of Norward Roussell, Selma, Alabama's first Black superintendent, prompted protests followed by a week-long closure of the schools. Summarizes the events and Roussell's analysis of the problems. (MLF)

Of the 65 North Carolina school superintendents surveyed, 25 indicated they had been an administrator in a school system where a coach had been disciplined for an improper relationship with a student. Guidelines are given to help school systems fulfill their legal obligation to protect students from sexual harassment. (IAH)