Browsing by Subject "superintendents"
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Item Connecting the role of school superintendents to teaching and learning in schools: a research synthesis of three educational administration peer reviewed research journals between 1983-2006(Texas A&M University, 2008-10-10) Shidemantle, Steven PaulThis exploratory synthesis of research was the product of three years of dissertation research efforts that systematically reviewed 23 years of empirical articles between 1983 (or its inception) and 2006 from three of the most highly regarded educational administration journals. Specifically designed to collect investigative data and information from primary research contained within Educational Administration Quarterly, the Journal of School Leadership, and the Journal of Educational Administration; this research synthesis drew upon various research methods to propose pragmatic insights and proffer an empirically founded response to: What has the educational administration profession learned from the research efforts that were independently conducted, presented, and published about the overall connections between school superintendents and education's technical core -teaching and learning in schools? Results from employing meta-analysis, descriptive synthesis, and thematic synthesis techniques to appropriately collect and analyze relevant data indicate that school superintendents remain directly connected to the technical core; however, these connections have evolved from the traditional connections presently maintained by campus administrators and to new connections that meet the increased responsibilities and complexities of the superintendents' role. The thematic synthesis, reinforced by descriptive syntheses, indicated 15 separate superintendent - technical core constructs that promote new areas for investigation; however, the extent and strength of these constructs have yet to be determined. The impact from the next step suggestions for future research indicate that effects could range from educational administration knowledge base contributions to refining in-practice standards and professional development programs. The possible knowledge base contributions, coupled with specific in-practice elements that demonstrate superintendents' direct impact on the technical core, may be the necessary raw materials from which a foundational framework that clearly redefines the superintendent - technical core connections may be forged by scholars and implemented by district leaders to improve teaching and learning in schools.Item Superintendents' Perceptions Toward Their Current Role as Instructional Leaders(2012-10-19) Garcia, Liodolee SalinasThis study was conducted to identify the self-perceptions of superintendents regarding their instructional leadership practices. The focus of the research was to explore the linkages that exist between these perceptions and factors such as superintendent characteristics and district demographics. In their role as district instructional leaders, superintendents are increasingly held accountable for instruction and the expectation for increased test scores. The data used to explore the research questions were acquired through a survey, the Superintendent's Instructional Leadership Survey (SILS). This instrument was developed by Gwen Boyter and had previously been used to survey superintendent behavior as perceived and self-reported by the superintendents themselves. The questionnaire contained 42 task statements that were intertwined into five task areas relevant to Instruction and Human Resource Development. This study used a Multiple Logistical Regression to explore the relationship between the superintendents' self-perceptions on their instructional leadership role and variables that may significantly influence the superintendents' perceptions. Variables included: school district rating for student performance on the state assessment; percentage of economically disadvantaged and at-risk student groups; and superintendent characteristics, such as age, gender, ethnicity, and years of experience. The SILS was sent as an online survey through Qualtrics.com. Superintendents rated their instructional leadership behaviors on a Likert scale that ranged from "Constant Emphasis" to "No Emphasis." Forty-nine respondents completed a survey, which was 16% of those surveyed. Practical significance was found in the relationship between the superintendents' self-perceptions and two of the variables: (a) the superintendents' age and (b) the district rating. Statistical significance was found on two variables: (a) the percentage of economically disadvantaged students and (b) the percentage of at-risk students. Research findings suggest that it is imperative that superintendents devote specific time to focus on instruction, curriculum, and assessment practices. They must involve stakeholders to collaboratively focus on the instruction goals in order to meet the learning needs of all students. As a result of this study, instructional leadership should be given much consideration in the selection of superintendents. Superintendent preparation programs can use data from the study to better prepare individuals to serve in the capacity of district instructional leaders.