The purpose of this study was to examine the behavior and philosophical leadership characteristics of Millennial school district superintendents The following research questions guided the study: (1) What work environment characteristics do Millennial superintendents desire that lead to job satisfaction?; (2) What differences are there between…

The relationship between a superintendent and the school board is a key element in determining the tenure of the superintendent (Barth, 2003; Hoyle, English, & Steffy, 1998; Glass & Franceschini, 2007; Hess, 2002; Mountford, 2008), and superintendent tenure often determines the ability of school districts to make necessary improvements…

An effective school requires an effective leader, but great principals rarely just happen. They are cultivated. This Wallace Perspective draws on a decade of foundation research and work in school leadership to show how urban school districts can play a major role in ensuring they have principals who can boost teaching and learning in troubled…

The problem. To consider reorganization of two or more Iowa school districts in light of declining enrollment, dwindling financial resources, the end of the state budget guarantee program and pressure to provide the most rigorous and relevant education possible to Iowa's students. Specifically, the problem is to determine what two or more school…

This manual is a resource document and guide for school boards to use in recruiting and selecting a superintendent. The material provides a basis to first identify the critical decisions that need to be made and, second, to consider alternatives or options to each of the major decision areas. The following factors are discussed: (1) the board's…

This study investigated whether some school boards create higher student achievement than others, studying districts with schools that ranked very high or very low on standardized achievement tests for three academic years. Achievement indicators included percentage of students meeting proficiency standards on the statewide curriculum based…

This planning guide has been prepared to assist local school districts to achieve the elemination of minority group isolation and the development of quality integrated school programs. The guide explains the conditions set forth in the Guideline for Non-Discrimination in Iowa Schools. The latter embodies a degree of flexibility that will allow…

Extensive on-site interviews in six Iowa school districts revealed that understandings and beliefs in three high-achieving school districts differed markedly from those in three low-achieving districts. The high-achieving districts had an "elevating" view of students, a focus on school renewal, and action-oriented goals. (MLH)

The task of a focused conversation and its facilitator is to release the genius, wisdom, and experience of the group on a topic and guide it towards a considered conclusion. Various purposes for holding a focused conversation on high schools and the recommendations of the Iowa Learns Council are: (1) Highlight the attention the community is…

THIS STUDY INVESTIGATES THE AMOUNT OF AGREEMENT EXISTING BETWEEN SUPERINTENDENTS, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, AND TEACHERS FROM RURAL, URBAN, AND CENTRAL CITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS CONCERNING THE ROLE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT IN THE COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATION PROCESS. TWENTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS PARTICIPATED IN THE STUDY. THESE DISTRICTS WERE DIVIDED INTO CATEGORIES OF…

This report describes a 1979 survey of 389 Iowa school districts which was conducted to determine the state of instructional materials selection policies in each district. Respondents, usually high school library media specialists, furnished data in three areas: (1) the current state of their district media selection policies, (2) selection policy…

Iowa's educational system is defined by the strong working relationship between the local school districts and area education agencies. Local districts provide the instructional program and area education agencies provide support services. Area education agencies (AEAs) were created in order to provide equity in the provision of programs and…

Identifies and analyzes the issues that emerge in the context of school desegregation and interdistrict school choice and applies these to Iowa's experience. The analysis is based on case law, federal and state law, and state administrative agency rulings. Interviews were conducted with officials in Nebraska, Minnesota, Washington, Utah, and…

When school board members consider the question of sharing a superintendent between two or more districts, they often lack the necessary information to make a sound decision. In addition, they often do not consider the changes in roles, relationships, and responsibilities that must occur in such a situation. This paper, based on a questionnaire…

Replicating a 1979 study, a survey of school library media specialists in 440 Iowa school districts was conducted in the spring of 1983 to determine the influence of a model policy published by the Iowa Department of Public Instruction (DPI) on the development, adoption, and provisions of school district policies for the selection of instructional…