Perceptions Of Educational Administration Pre-Service Training By Former Illinois Superintendents Currently Serving As University Professors

摘要

PERCEPTIONS OF EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION PRE-SERVICE TRAINING BY FORMER ILLINOIS SUPERINTENDENTSCURRENTLY SERVING AS UNIVERSITY PROFESSORSDouglas R. Kaufman179 pages December 2009The 1983 publication of A Nation at Riskwas the start of the latest chapter in the long history and development of the public school superintendent. A Nation at Riskbrought new pressure and awareness on university programs that train school administrators coupled with suggestions on how to improve their effectiveness. This study describes many of these suggested reforms and investigates their effectiveness and rate of implementation.This qualitative study describes the experiences and perceptions of pre-service learning from the perspective of individuals who have completed pre-service training, worked as public school superintendents and currently teach in a pre-service program for future superintendents. The opinions of these individuals on pre-service training are unique as they have seen the impact these programs can have from three unique perspectives. Through an interview format, these individuals describe how their pre-service training helped them succeed as a superintendent as well as their frustrations with the process. They also elaborate on how they attempt to prepare future educational leaders with the skills they feel their students need.This study adds to the knowledge base of pre-service training for the superintendent endorsement by describing the impact these programs have had from the perspective of individuals who have gone through pre-service training, served as superintendents and the program to the student and the professor. Prior research has focused on one or two of these aspects but has never brought all three together. The findings from this study may lead to future research on how to make pre-service experiences more applicable to the real world or help students see the connections between what is being learned and how it will help them in future administrative positions. Other findings suggest a need for better transitions to the superintendent through organized and continued support provided by the university, the school district and other administrators in the field.