In "Kinsey," a fired superintendent claimed a violation of free expression and association rights by his employing board of education. Examines similar cases and contends that public defiance or disloyalty by a principal or superintendent exceeds the tacit limits of intra-administrative disagreement. (108 footnotes) (MLF)

The process for establishing a climate and a framework that promote school-based reform is complex. Describes the steps a typical but fictitious district takes to build support for change. (MLF)

Interviews with 42 of Iowa's 44 shared superintendents examined school district motives for sharing superintendents, the need to redefine the superintendent's role, superintendents' personal motivations, sources of frustration, community relations, and factors leading to success or failure of the sharing agreement. Contains 20 references. (SV)

In two years, Cuban-born Superintendent Peter Negroni has worked tirelessly to make the Springfield (Massachusetts) Public Schools a showcase for innovation and school reform. In whirlwind fashion, he has built bridges to the city's business, religious, and social service communities, introduced school-based management to all 40 district schools,…

Besides reorganizing the central office to support instructional goals, the Vancouver (Washington) School District has passed bond and levy issues to revitalize the infrastructure, changed to a three-year middle school configuration, designed three new school facilities, and allocated $1 million for school improvement initiatives. The goals are…

Successful urban superintendents demonstrate various traits not always specified in job descriptions, including an ability to inspire, business savvy, sensitivity to diversity, self-confidence, deference to board members, high energy, and a sense of humor. A school executive assuming an urban superintendency without these qualities will experience…

The Supreme Court's denial of review in the case of "Kinsey v. Salado ISD" may serve to restrict future free speech and political association rights of top educational administrators. Advises top administrators to avoid public involvement in the election of their board members. (MLF)

Although both mastery learning and outcome-based education require students to meet certain criteria, OBE encourages students to assess themselves. Johnson City (New York) Schools stress three outcomes: academics, work and process skills, and attitudes. The key to Johnson City's success lies in clearly defining these desired outcomes, getting…

A program titled the "Superintendents' Institute" organized by the Harris County Department of Education (Texas), Rice University, and Compaq Computer Corporation provides a forum for public school leaders to discuss leadership and major decision making in integrating technology into all school levels. (MLF)

Today's superintendents are unaccustomed to sharing significant power with others and are expected to educate all youngsters effectively. Superintendents' responses to differences with their boards can profoundly affect progress in school improvement. By stressing dialog over discussion, superintendents might keep their jobs without sacrificing…

More people are earning administrative certificates, but fewer are applying for available openings. Possible explanations include the impact of two-income households; changing demands of work and family; and the stress associated with relocating for an administrative position. Offers five changes school districts can make to encourage people to…

The Annenberg Institute for School Reform recently invited three distinguished educators (a superintendent, principal, and teacher leader) to Providence, Rhode Island, to reflect on the relationship between leadership and student achievement. Schools must tap into educators' training backgrounds; conversations at all levels must stress increasing…

Despite threats from charters and vouchers, the Edmonton (Alberta) Public Schools are parents' first choice because they address the community's changing needs. Boasting 20 years of experience in alternative programming and open boundaries, Edmonton has introduced two dozen innovative programs, focused on student achievement, and experienced…

This article identifies 12 commonly used models for evaluating superintendents and analyzes them through questions related to the "Personnel Evaluation Standards" of the Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluation. Models are grouped into those based on global judgment, judgment based on specific criteria, or data-driven…

Examines a woman superintendent's 2-year tenure in a small southern city from a feminist perspective. Against a backdrop of community/district politics, shows how gender stereotyping still influences how female superintendents are perceived as school-system leaders. Women must resist traditional images reserved for them and reinvent the…