The purpose of this study was to determine Tennessee superintendents' perceptions of the educational application of the W. Edwards Deming Total Quality Management Model. The Total Quality Management Model was divided into four parts for the purpose of this study based on review of the literature. The parts are eight selected underlying principles, Deming's 14 points, Deming's deadly diseases, and process improvement tools. A survey instrument developed by the investigator was sent to all 139 Tennessee superintendents. A total of 112 of the superintendents responded representing 81% of the population. Fifty-one percent of the respondents are using some of the Total Quality Management concepts in their school district. Twenty percent have adopted a form of the Total Quality Management System in their district. Seventy-six percent indicated they would be interested in adopting some form of the Total Quality Management System if the State Department of Education offered assistance and training in methodology. A correlation analysis revealed significant relationships in superintendents' beliefs concerning the four parts of the Total Quality Management concepts and selected demographics. Certain conclusions were based on the findings in this study. It was concluded that Tennessee superintendents favor all of the educational applications of the industrial model of the W. Edwards Deming Total Quality Management theory. Their beliefs concerning the four parts of the Total Quality Management Model used in the study were significantly different at the.05 level. Superintendents' beliefs relative to the educational application of the four parts ranked in the following order: 14 points, eight underlying principles, seven diseases, process improvement tools. There was no significant difference in superintendent beliefs concerning the four parts of the total quality management model and selected demographics at the.05 level. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)