Novice Superintendents and the Efficacy of Professional Preparation

Author(s)

Theodore J. Kowalski, University of DaytonFollow
George J. Petersen, California Lutheran University
Lance D. Fusarelli, North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Winter 2009

Publication Source

AASA Journal of Scholarship and Practice

Abstract

The preparation of superintendents is a critical component and essential element of systemic education reform. However, Cooper, Fusarelli, Jackson, and Poster (2002) remind us that, ―the process is rife with difficulties‖ (p. 242), including synchronization of preparation and actual practice, the theory-practice disconnect, the need for life-long learning, and development of an adequate knowledge base.

In light of these complexities, two facts are especially noteworthy: The vast majority of research on the efficacy of administrator preparation programs has focused on the principalship (Kowalski, 2006b), and most doctoral programs in educational administration have de facto become preparation programs for superintendents, even though some contain little coursework specifically tailored for the position (Andrews & Grogan, 2002).

Inclusive pages

16-26

ISBN/ISSN

1931-6569

Document Version

Published Version

Comments

Articles published by AASA, The School Superintendents Association (AASA) in the AASA Journal of Scholarship and Practice fall under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 license policy (CC-BY-NC-ND 3.0). Please refer to the policy for rules about republishing, distribution, etc.

Permission documentation is on file.

Publisher

AASA: The School Superintendents Association

Volume

5

Issue

4

Peer Reviewed

yes

eCommons Citation

Kowalski, Theodore J.; Petersen, George J.; and Fusarelli, Lance D., "Novice Superintendents and the Efficacy of Professional Preparation" (2009). Educational Leadership Faculty Publications. 21.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/eda_fac_pub/21