The role of the superintendent of schools as perceived by superintendents and presidents of boards of education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if significant differences existed between the self-perceived role of the superintendent and the role as perceived by the board presidents in large Texas school districts. This study also determined the role of the superintendent as perceived by the superintendent and as perceived by the board president. An additional determination was made of the significance of selected background factors as related to any discrepancies between the superintendent's self-perceived role and the perception of his role held by the board president. The background factors studied consisted of: (a) the superintendent's age, years of experience as a superintendent, number of years in present assignment, and his educational level attained; (b) the board president's age, years served on board of education, member of board at time of appointment of present superintendent, and the board president's educational level attained; and (c) the setting, size, and wealth of the school district. Data for the study were obtained through the use of The Superintendent Behavior Questionnaire developed by Raymond G. Fast. The SBQ was mailed to each superintendent and board president in the 149 Texas school districts with an average daily enrollment of 3,000 or more students as listed in the 1973-74 Texas Public School Directory. A total of 108 match paired responses from the superintendent and the board president of the same school district were used. ...