What would you ask a prospective superintendent?
On Thursday, I'll be heading up to Massachusetts for a couple days to attend a seminar for Harvard's Urban Superintendents Program, which prepares educators to become urban superintendents. (This is the program where Andres Alonso earned his doctorate.) I've been asked to speak on a media panel, talking to the current doctoral students about working with the press. On the second day of the seminar, I'll be participating in a "mock school board," interviewing these prospective superintendents as though they were applying for a job leading one of our nation's more challenging school systems. Which is why I'm posting this item... to solicit question ideas from all of you who are working (or have recently worked) in the trenches. What would you ask someone applying to be a superintendent or top-level central office administrator? What kind of answers would you want to hear?
UPDATE (Dec. 10): I just returned from the trip last night, just in time to beat some northeastern snow. There were several of us on the mock school board, so I only got to ask a few questions to each of the three candidates I interviewed. But I did ask all of them about what their mechanism would be to listen to staff and parent concerns. I got an interesting range of responses, including one who would have weekly office hours for people to come in and share their concerns. We had to ask at least some things from a list of real questions that interviewing superintendents have had to answer. A number of them were close to the questions submitted here (how to hold parents accountable, views on charter and magnet schools, etc.). Thanks again to all of you for your great suggestions.
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Comments
1. I would want to hear their views about an open-door policy for ALL staffers.
2. Go to successful teachers and Instructional Assistants and listen to them. Teachers/IA's are in the trenches and know what to do.
3. What are their plans to increase parental involvement/change anti-education culture? The best teachers can only do so much if the kids don't want to learn.
Posted by: Susan O'Connell | December 4, 2007 11:47 AM
A few off the top of my head (and what I would ask Alonso if I had the chance):
1. How would you ensure that professional development was useful and based on needs of schools, students, and teachers?
2. How would you hear teachers' concerns about issues?
3. How do you view magnet schools and citywide schools?
4. How would you hold students and parents accountable for attendance? For parental involvement?
5. How willing are you to call a snow day? (that one was a joke :)
Posted by: epiph | December 4, 2007 3:05 PM
what format would you use for IEPs (e.g. goal/ objective or objective/ benchmark)?
how do gardner's theory of multiple intelligences and bloom's taxonomy compare/ differ in their implications for teachers trying to differentiate instruction in a resource poor environment?
budget plans that target programs or schools (e.g. middle schools, GT, IB, failing) can create funding imbalances within the school system. how would you make sure that developing and supporting necessary programs in some schools would not come at the cost of others?
what can the school system offer you in the way of supports, professional development, or access to resources that can further your development as a leader within the educational community?
this trip sounds like a lot of fun. i like harvard square and the area a lot. too bad it's in december, though.
Posted by: christian | December 5, 2007 12:52 AM
Thanks, Susan, Epiphany and Christian, for the great suggestions. I'll let you know how it goes.
Posted by: Sara Neufeld | December 5, 2007 5:16 PM
no problem. i've got one more.
many large urban districts have faced declining enrollment over the course of decades. at the same time, city leaders try to stabilize or reverse declines in city populations. how could this district be a part of city-wide efforts to stabilize keep/ attract residents while preparing the budget, infrastructure, etc. for the possibility of lower enrollment? please speak specifically to this district’s resources, liabilities, etc.
Posted by: christian | December 6, 2007 3:35 AM