This study examined the role of the superintendent in an era of reform. The primary interest was to determine how current superintendents perceived their role in a context of school reform, what kinds of supports they need to effectively function in their redefined role, and where superintendents find these supports that will enable them to be successful in their redefined role.
This is rich, descriptive, narrative, qualitative study that occurred in a natural setting. Participants were chosen because of their experiences and because they were willing to share their thoughts. Methods of data collection included a survey, semi-structured interviews, and a personal journal. Interview data was transcribed and organized into major and minor themes. Personal thoughts were kept in a journal for the purpose of adding reflective thoughts to the study.
This researcher found that the role of the superintendent in an era of reform is constantly being redefined and evolves through his/her context. There is a universal context for all superintendents that is characterized by change, collaboration, and financial leadership. Yet, at any given moment, the universal context interfaces with personal beliefs/values, personal context, professional growth, types of support, and internal/external influences. The interfacing is fluid because of the variety of demand. Gaps full of tension are created between a superintendents beliefs, behavior, and skill vs. influences and demands. This researcher concludes that the superintendents role in an era of reform can be described as a Gap Closer.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PITT/oai:PITTETD:etd-07172006-125328 |
| Date | 28 September 2006 |
| Creators | Hawkins, Yvonne L. |
| Contributors | Joseph Werlinich, M.Ed, Richard Wallace, Ed.D, James Manley, Ph. D, Sue Goodwin, Ph.D |
| Publisher | University of Pittsburgh |
| Source Sets | University of Pittsburgh |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-07172006-125328/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to University of Pittsburgh or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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