Date of Award

2001

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Larry McNeal, Ph.D.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the replacement pool for the projected upcoming superintendent vacancies in Arkansas' public schools. The study sought to determine the number of public school administrators holding a superintendency license and who want to become superintendent in the state of Arkansas during the next five years. In addition, the study addressed factors that encouraged or discouraged applicants in seeking a superintendency position. The sample consisted of the 421 principals and central office administrators who currently held a superintendency license. Only 174 individuals indicated an interest in seeking a superintendency position during the next five years. The study revealed that approximately three fourths of the respondents would be willing to relocate to accept a superintendent position. The predominate factors that would affect individuals from seeking a superintendency position were the location of the school district, school board relations, and salary and benefit packages. Other factors identified were personal family issues, community support, fiscal conditions, academics, student achievement, hiring practices, size of the district, job responsibilities, gender, ethnicity, stress associated with the job, and nearing retirement. The location of the school district was the strongest factor affecting where individuals would be interested in seeking a superintendency position. The majority of respondents indicated they were interested in a superintendency position in central or northwest Arkansas. Other factors identified were salary and benefits, school board relations, size of the district, community support, academics, student achievement, fiscal conditions, personal family issues, hiring practices, district goals, job related responsibilities, gender, and ethnicity.

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