This paper presents findings of a case study that explored the experiences of a beginning superintendent. The data were collected during the 1992-93 school year through telephone interviews, a site visit, document analysis, and personal conversations with the female superintendent of a K-8 city district in the southwestern United States. During…

When school board members consider the question of sharing a superintendent between two or more districts, they often lack the necessary information to make a sound decision. In addition, they often do not consider the changes in roles, relationships, and responsibilities that must occur in such a situation. This paper, based on a questionnaire…

Social constructions of sexism many times become evident in a public school system when the superintendent is a woman. This paper offers a view of sexism from the perspective of women superintendents. The text discusses the distinction between sex and gender and how the role of the superintendent itself is a socially constructed position. A study…

The new age of education shows an increasing focus on human development through family involvement, community learning resources, community social service, staff development, involvement, technology, learning climate, and motivation/reward systems. Integration of these areas calls for skills that are not traditionally taught to school leaders.…

School choice is the right of parents to decide where their children will attend school, regardless of residential school district boundaries. According to E. Marciniak (1989), the primary reason for advocating school choice was lack of progress in public school reform during the 1980s. The rationale for school choice is based on two assumptions:…

This report presents findings of a survey administered to 176 superintendents of small school districts in California. The purpose of the survey was to identify problems perceived by superintendents and to assess the extent to which districts have difficulties in providing effective instruction to limited English proficient (LEP) students.…

A principal is often judged on his ability to resolve problems at the school level without appealing to superintendents and board members. Techniques for accomplishing this task include (1) clear and specific position descriptions for employees, (2) printed handbooks for employees and students, (3) fairness and consistency, (4) positive and…

Behavioral scientists maintain that a board-superintendent relationship thrives only within a total organization that is sound and healthy. To develop such an organization, agreement should be reached at the onset on what exactly is board policy and prerogative and what is in the administrative domain. A board must develop its goals with the…

The process by which women successfully attained male-dominated administrative line positions as high school principals and superintendents and their perceptions of the process are examined in this descriptive study. The qualitative, inductive analysis is based on indepth interviews with 17 women principals and superintendents. Findings indicate…

This guide is designed for reform-jaded superintendents who, in spite of everything, still want to promote excellence in their schools. After a brief introductory chapter, chapter 2 reviews nine well-known national reports, most of which offer little help to superintendents. The guide recommends three books "High School: A Report on Secondary…

An alternative model, the Program of Research and Evaluation for Public Schools (PREPS), provides specialized educational services to local public schools. PREPS is funded directly by member school districts with additional funds from Mississippi State University. This sponsorship allows each member school to select, design, and conduct research…

This guide initiated by the Area Media Committees for the state of Georgia provides a description of the role of the community in the development of school media programs as well as the responsibilities of educational personnel, including the superintendent, system media contact person, media coordinator, curriculum coordinator, system media…

This report documents the impact of current educational reform movements and fiscal conservatism on urban school districts and profiles district operations and activities using survey results from 61 urban school districts constituting 84% of the National School Boards Association Council of Urban Boards of Education. The statistical data falls…

One of the key responsibilities of a school board is to adopt procedures for regular evaluation of the superintendent's performance. This handbook therefore provides specific suggestions for developing these procedures. Based on a question-and-answer format, the handbook is divided into seven chapters: (1) Evaluating your superintendent (a summary…

A study was conducted to assess the opinions of Ohio public school superintendents about the issues of (1) the mission of public schools regarding adult education; (2) the nature of adult education funding; and (3) the benefits accrued to the local school district as a result of adult education programs. A survey form was developed and mailed to…