Leadership & Research Committee

CORAS/COE Research Guidelines

March 4, 2008

• CORAS research projects and the researchers are subject to approval by the CORAS Board of Directors. The CORAS/COE Leadership & Research Committee will implement the research guidelines, assist with the research project, and make decisions on issues/concerns raised by the researchers.
• The CORAS/COE Leadership & Research Committee shall meet at least once each year to monitor the research progress and address concerns or issues presented by the researchers. The Executive Director, Co-chairs of the Leadership & Research Committee and the Researchers will jointly determine the time, location and agenda for the meeting.
• CORAS research will be conducted and completed in a timely manner. A reasonable time line for conducting the research will be established by the researchers at the beginning of the project. The time line will be presented to the CORAS Board of Directors and Executive Director for final approval.
• An annual written progress report on the research will be submitted to the Executive Director by April 1st of each year for distribution to CORAS members via email or U.S. Mail.
• An annual research progress report, either written or oral, will be presented to the CORAS Board of Directors at its September (summer/fall) planning meeting.
• Once the research project is completed, a written report of the research, including the manner in which the research was conducted, related data, the findings and recommendations (if applicable), will be submitted to the CORAS/COE Leadership & Research Committee, CORAS Board of Directors and distributed to the CORAS membership.

Approved by the CORAS Board of Directors March 4, 2008.

See Board of Directors for February 20, 2008 minutes for combined CORAS/COE Leadership & Research Committee/CORAS Board of Directors meeting. 

OCTOBER 26, 2006

The CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee met at McCracken Hall at 10:00 AM on October 26 with the following members present: Larry Burgess, John Costanzo, Dale Dickson (Co-Chair) Max Evans (Co-Chair) Dick Fisher, Aimee Howley, Tracy Leinbaugh, Steve Martin, Paul Mock and Jerry Vinci.

The history of the development of the research undertaking – What is the character of communication between boards and superintendents in effective districts? was reviewed by referring members to the minutes of the meeting of September 20, 2005.

Larry Burgess presented a progress report of the study in two school districts (one rural, the other suburban) citing data sources used and the preliminary findings related to the following six subordinate research questions:

• What explicit communication strategies are used in effective districts?
• What communication approaches are avoided in effective districts?
• How does communication work to advance vision-setting and continuous  improvement in effective districts?
• What procedures are used in effective districts to evaluate superintendents?
• How is the work of the board evaluated in effective districts?
• How is the superintendent transition handled in effective districts?

Aimee Howley pointed out that, although the original intent of the study was to conduct case studies in five districts, limited resources had slowed the data collecting process to a single district per year. The implications for the study brought about by the changing conditions in Ohio over time and spreading the data collection over a five-year period was discussed resulting in the following decisions:

• That the original study design be modified to include three districts, rather than five, and that the third district be a rural one. (Dr. Howley and Dr. Burgess will select the district from the list based on the reputational method used for identifying effective districts.)
• Once the third study has been completed, the findings from the three districts studied will be the basis for a statewide survey of board members and superintendents related to the research problem.

Preliminary planning for the survey will be presented to the Research Committee for its review and input at its next meeting, probably in about a year.

It was noted that the survey study would need to be discussed with officials of the Ohio School Boards Association and the Buckeye Association of School Administrators prior to implementation.

It is planned that the results of the CORAS/COE study will be published in a research bulletin similar in format to those published in the past.

Dick Fisher discussed the status of the constitutional amendment to fix school funding being drafted by Ohio educational organizations and plans for a progress report on the amendment at the Ohio School Boards’ Capitol Conference at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, November 14, 2006. He also indicated that the January 30, 2007 CORAS meeting may be focused on the organizational plan for securing signatures and discussing strategy necessary to pass the proposed amendment in November 2007.

Meeting minutes prepared by Dr. Max Evans, Committee Co-chair

SEPTEMBER 20, 2005

The CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee met at McCracken Hall at 10:00 AM on September 20, 2005 with the following members present: Larry Burgess, John Costanzo , Tom Davis, Glenn Doston, Max Evans (Co-Chair), Dick Fisher, Dianne Gut, Steve Martin, and Jerry Vinci. Tom Davis, Glenn Doston and Dianne Gut were welcomed as new members of the Committee.

The notes reviewing the meeting of October 19, 2004 were accepted as presented. A copy of the case study protocol was distributed.

The history of the current research project (What is the character of communication between boards and superintendents in effective districts?) was reviewed. Key events in the evolution and implementation of the research undertaking are: Discussions involving board members at a CORAS meeting dealing with barriers to effective school board/superintendents relations (January 2003); a research committee meeting (June 2003) focused on the outcomes of the January meeting pointing toward board/superintendent relations as a high research priority; a meeting at the Ohio School Boards Association offices with representatives of OSBA, the Buckeye Association and the Ohio Department of Education to discuss the outlines of the research project and to seek support from the statewide organizations (January, 2004); a follow up meeting of the Research Committee in McCracken Hall with representatives from OSBA, BASA and ODE to discuss specifics of the investigation (February 2004); and the meeting in October, 2004 to review and approve the design of the case study protocols for the study. The selection of five districts to participate in study was through a reputational methodology incorporating input from 10 organizations having a statewide constituency. Districts were selected from rural, suburban/small town and urban areas possessing either high or low economic status.

Larry Burgess presented the findings from the first completed CORAS case study and from a similar Schools of Promise district which the COE is studying for the ODE.

Discussion for moving the study forward centered on two topics: (1) selection of the next district to study, and (2) resources, particularly interviewers, to help in the collection of data. John Costanzo will make the contact with the superintendent of the selected district. A second district was identified in the event that the first choice could not participate. Dean Davis indicated that graduate interviewers might possibly be available to assist with interviews. He will explore that possibility with the faculty teaching qualitative research courses who would be involved.

The policy of confidentiality regarding the identification of districts participating in the study was reaffirmed.

Larry Burgess announced that he would be making a presentation at the OSBA Capital Conference  (November 16, 2005) dealing with the relationships between effective boards of education and student achievement, drawing upon findings from the two completed case studies.

Dick Fisher reported that a CORAS program dealing with the topic of school board/superintendent relationships will be held either in January or March 2006. The program will be in cooperation with the  Southeast Regional School Boards Association.

Meeting review prepared by Dr. Max Evans, Committee Co-chair.

OCTOBER 19, 2004

The CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee met at McCracken Hall at 10:00 on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 with the following members present: Larry Burgess, John Costanzo, Dale Dickson (Co-chair, presiding), Steve Dodgion, Max Evans (Co-Chair) Dick Fisher, Aimee Howley, Tracy Leinbaugh, Jack Loudin,  Steve Martin, Paul Mock, Debbie Phillips, Phil Satterfield, and Jerry Vinci. New members Steve Dodgion,  (Lawrence Co. JVS) and Steve Martin (Pike Co. JVS) were welcomed to the Committee.

The notes reviewing the committee meeting of May 25, 2004 were accepted as presented.

The primary purpose of the meeting was to assist Dr. Aimee Howley in the design of the case study protocols for the study dealing with board-superintendent relationships. The overarching research question deals with the character of communication between boards and superintendents in school districts with different demographic characteristics.

Five school districts will be selected for case studies from among the following highest and lowest socio-economic quartiles in urban, suburban-small town and rural locales. Criteria for the selection of districts from among those identified by the responding organizations were discussed and districts prioritized. Phil Satterfield will contact two rural districts, one in the low and one in the high SES category regarding their participation in the study.

Data sources in each district and the evidence anticipated to be garnered from each source were discussed. Suggestions were made concerning documents to be reviewed, archives to be searched and interviews to be conducted. Documents included the following: board agendas and minutes, routine reports to the board, policy manuals and indications of public participation.  The archives in each community were identified as the historical archives of local newspapers, which would likely indicate some characteristics of board/superintendent communications. Interview suggestions included the superintendent, his/her secretary, treasurer, board members, newspaper editor, teacher/classified employee union representatives and principals.

The committee agreed that the six subordinate research questions, which had been identified, would provide a beginning point for developing interview questions. Those research questions are:

• What explicit communication strategies are used?
• What communication approaches are avoided?
• How does communication work to advance vision-setting and continuous improvement?
• How is the work of boards evaluated?
• What procedures are used to evaluate superintendents?
• How is the superintendent transition handled?

Committee members are asked to submit additional interview questions/prompts.

The matter of personnel to conduct the case studies was briefly discussed. The possibility of using retired people to assist with the studies was raised and committee members were invited to suggest individuals. Larry Burgess volunteered to serve as the lead researcher for the first case study.

Max Evans will draft letters of thanks to the organizations asked to assist in identifying possible school districts for the case studies. He will also provide as update to OSBA, BASA and ODE regarding progress in carrying out the study.

The next scheduled meeting for the CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee is Tuesday, April 5, 2005.

Throughout the meeting, the importance of confidentiality in conducting and reporting on the study was stressed.

Meeting notes prepared by Dr. Max Evans, Committee Co-chair.

May 25, 2004

The CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee met at McCracken Hall at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, May 25, 2004. Those present were: Dale Dickson, Max Evans, Dick Fisher, Aimee Howley, Tracy Leinbaugh, Phyllis McQueen, Paul Mock, Marta Roth, Phil Satterfield, Bob Scott and Jerry Vinci.

The purpose of the meeting was to further define the procedures of the study dealing with board-superintendent relationships. 

The overarching research question for the study had earlier been stated as: What is the character of communication between boards and superintendents? The decision for identifying selected districts was made at the February meeting of the Committee.

Discussion centered on the following major points: The organizations to be asked to select districts; how they should be approached; districts used in the selection method; case study protocols and the need for strict confidentiality in conducting and reporting the research.

Organizations to be asked to identify districts: Ten organizations having a statewide constituency will asked to participate in this process. Committee members volunteered to make personal telephone contacts with organizational representatives prior to Dr. Howley’s sending them a letter with instructions and materials for identifying districts. She will prepare “talking points” for the callers so that the same message is communicated to all organizations. July 1 is the target date for responses from organizations.

Districts used: Organizations involved in selecting districts will choose from among rural, suburban-small town and urban districts in the highest and lowest socio-economic quartiles. SES is determined by the percentage of students receiving free and reduced-cost lunches. The number of districts in each of the cells and the number respondents will be asked to identify districts (in parenthesis) are as follows: High SES: rural - 65 (5); suburban-small town – 88 (10); urban – 0. Low SES: rural - 53 (5); suburban-small town- 79 (10); urban 20 (3). The list of districts sent to organizational representatives will be alphabetized by counties. One district in each cell will be selected as a case study, selected on the number of “hits” by responding organizations. (Note: Since none of the urban districts was in the high SES category, there will be five, rather than six, case studies conducted.)

Case study protocols: Because of time, this topic could be discussed only briefly. The following protocols were mentioned: number of interviews in each district; persons to interview; review of documents such as board minutes; attending board meetings; and tape recording interviews. All protocols are to be in place by October. The identification of case study researchers is underway.

Confidentiality in conducting the research: The organizations and individuals participating in the identification of school districts will not be revealed nor will the names of the school districts selected for case studies.

Next meeting: October 19, 2004 at 10:00 AM in McCracken Hall

Prepared by Max Evans

FEBRUARY 10, 2004

The CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee met at McCracken Hall at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 10, 2004. Those present were: Larry Burgess, Dan Doyle, Dale Dickson, Charla Evans, Max Evans, Dick Fisher, Aimee Howley, Tracy Leinbaugh, Jack Loudin, Phyllis McQueen, Paul Mock, Marta Roth, Phil Satterfield, Jerry Vinci and invited participants:  Rob Delane (OSBA), Jerry Klenke (BASA) and Roger Nehls (ODE). Jessica Perry, PACE student, served as a note taker.

The purpose of the meeting was to define further the research focus and procedures for the study dealing with Board-Superintendent Relationships.

Dick Fisher reviewed the meeting held with representatives of OSBA, BASA, OASSA and ODE in Columbus on January 15, 2004 to discuss the research proposal and to invite the participation of these organizations as partners in shaping and implementing the statewide study. (At that meeting, Drs. Aimee Howley and Larry Burgess had provided an overview of extant literature on this subject and gaps in existing studies which the CORAS/COE study might address.  Dr. Howley also suggested that the study focus on board-superintendent relationships in six school districts  (2 rural, 2 urban, 2 suburban). The case study method of research was proposed. The question of how to identify and select the districts was discussed briefly and identified as a primary question to address at the next meeting of the Committee.)

The Research Question(s)

Dr. Howley provided a handout with the following overarching research question: What is the character of communication between boards and superintendents in selected school districts? She also provided examples of subordinate research questions.

There was implicit acceptance of the overarching research question listed above; however, there was not time for in-depth discussion of other possible research questions.

Identifying Districts

Most of the discussion centered on the procedures by which districts might be identified for the study. Dr. Howley outlined two approaches for consideration.

Dr. Howley will prepare a detailed draft of the selected method for how identifying districts might be implemented and circulate it to the committee for comments.

Conducting the Study

One researcher will be required to conduct the case study in each of the six school districts. This will require a time commitment of 5-10 days over the next year. Training will be provided. Expenses only will be paid to the researchers. Several suggestions were made regarding possible researchers, including interested professors from other institutions and retired superintendents. (Note: Both Drs. Howley and Burgess plan to conduct a case study.)

Next Meeting

 The next meeting of the Committee will be Tuesday, May 25, 2004 in Room 115, McCracken Hall. A major item for discussion then will be the protocols for conducting the case studies.

Meeting Review prepared by Dr. Max Evans

October 21, 2003

The CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee met at McCracken Hall at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 21, 2003. Members present were: Larry Burgess, John Costanzo, Dan Doyle, Max Evans, Dick Fisher, James Heap, Aimee Howley, Tracy Leinbaugh, Jack Loudin, Paul Mock, Jim Payne, Marta Roth, Bob Scott, and Jerry Vinci.

Superintendent-Board Relationship Study

A primary purpose for the meeting was to discuss research questions for the new study dealing with superintendent-board relationships. Dr. Howley reported that the literature review is continuing but that sufficient research has been completed to identify certain gaps in the existing research. These gaps suggested possible research questions in the following broad areas:

·        Evaluation of superintendents

·        Effectiveness of superintendent-boards relations and effectiveness of schools

·        Social class influences on superintendent-board relations

·        Racial and ethnic influence on board superintendents-relations

·        Influence of locale on superintendent-board relations

·        Alignment of values, attitudes, perspectives about education and views about particular policies.

An extensive discussion of the possible research areas concluded with a general consensus that evaluation of superintendents should be the focus of the study under the broad umbrella of superintendent-board relationships. Dr. Howley agreed to prepare a brief draft research problem statement which would be submitted to Leadership and Research Committee members for their review and reaction. (Note: Dr. Howley's draft statement is being submitted to Committee members in a separate e-mail attachment.)

The Committee reiterated its intent for the superintendent-board relationship study to be statewide in scope with regional (Appalachian, et al) analyses. Although representatives of OSBA, BASA, OAESP, OASSP and OASBO had been invited to attend the meeting, none were able to do so. The Committee decided, in the interest of having of having these organizations involved with the shaping of the study, that a meeting should be held in Columbus as soon as practicable with their representatives. Paul Mock agreed to arrange the meeting which would be held at the OSBA headquarters. Jim Payne, Bob Scott, Jerry Vinci and Paul Mock agreed to serve as Committee representatives to the meeting.

Does Place Influence Achievement Outcomes: An Investigation of the Standing of Appalachian Ohio School Districts.

Dr. Howley discussed the study by her and Dr. Craig Howley which focused on mathematics achievement. Among the findings of the study were:

·        That Appalachian districts are not inferior to other districts.

·        That some districts seem to make better use of resources than others.

·        That when the playing field is not level, Appalachian districts are as productive as other districts.

Dr. Howley will present the findings from the study at an international conference in Seattle.

Ohio Partnership for Accountability: The Impact of Teacher Education

Dean James Heap discussed the Ohio Partnership for Accountability which was created in response to Title II teacher education accountability requirements. It is the result of a unanimous desire among the 51 teacher preparation institutions in Ohio to develop measures that are valid and informative both to the public and to the institutions themselves. To discover what components of teacher education facilitate student learning and performance, the Partnership is conducting a five-year comprehensive collaborative, longitudinal study to define teacher education programs, both alternative and traditional, to follow graduates into the classroom and to study the impact of their practice on P-12 student achievement. The study will incorporate "double-blind" research procedures. Dean Heap and Dr. Howley serve on the advisory council for the study.

The expected outcomes of the study are to identify:

The characteristics of teacher education in Ohio.

The pre-service preparation experiences that prepare teachers to enhance student achievement in public schools.

The nature of the relationship between instructional practice and student achievement.

The mentoring of induction experiences that are related to enhancing student achievement.

The practices of teachers who add value to student achievement.

The relationship between value-added proficiency and more robust definition of student achievement

The relationship between teacher effectiveness and various certification/licensure requirements.

Dissemination of Research Findings

Drs. Howley and Dr. Burgess will present the findings of the studies related to Who Will Lead Our Schools? at the OSBA Capitol Conference on Wednesday, November 12, at 9:00 AM.

On March 16, 2004 the CORAS membership meeting will be devoted to an interactive analysis of the data from the Who Will Lead Our Schools? studies.  The meeting will be held at the Olde Dutch restaurant in Logan.

Research Resources

Since the Ohio Appalachian Initiative funds have been eliminated due to state budget cuts, current research support will be largely dependent upon College of Education funds ($10,000 annually) and CORAS support. It is also important to note that Dr. Aimee Howley, who serves as the principal investigator for the CORAS/COE studies, generously donates her services to these efforts. External support for research will continue to be obtained.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the L&R Committee will set on an "as needed" basis.

Meeting Review Prepared by Dr. Max Evans

June 10, 2003

The CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee met at McCracken Hall at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, June 6, 2003. Members present were: Larry Burgess, Dale Dickson, Charla Evans, Max Evans, Dick Fisher, Aimee Howley, Tracey Leinbaugh, Paul Mock, Marta Roth, Phil Satterfield, Bob Scott and graduate assistant Jessica.  The purpose of the meeting was to receive an update on the status of current research relating to Who Will Lead Our Schools, discuss possible foci for the CORAS meeting on March 9, 2004 when a summary of the current research undertaking will be presented and to discuss the status of the transition research agenda related to board/superintendent relations.

Dr. Aimee Howley led the Committee through an interactive analysis of the teacher data whereby committee members "posed questions to the data" and received immediate responses (findings) through Dr. Howley's PowerPoint computer analysis of the data. As a result of that experience, the Committee wholeheartedly endorsed the idea of incorporating this experience as a central activity in the March 4, 2004 CORAS meeting.

The Committee further decided that March 9, 2004 meeting would follow the usual format for CORAS meetings - beginning at 9:30 and ending after lunch. Representation from the educational organizations that participated in the study will be encouraged to attend. A general outline for the meeting was approved along the following lines: An orientation to the day's schedule and to the process for "interacting with the data"; the formation of small discussion groups to identify (say three) questions to "ask of the data"; receiving answers to the questions through computer analysis and discussion; a presentation summarizing the salient findings from the three studies based on superintendent, principal and teacher data; followed by small group discussions focusing on policy and practice implications of the studies and their implementation. Fisher, Howley, Burgess, and Evans will meet on Tuesday, June 17 at 10:00 AM to refine the outline for that meeting.

There seems to be a strong feeling that the Committee must also be concerned with translating the results of these studies into policies and practices that will, in fact, improve the leadership of schools in our region and state. That is where the leadership side of the Leadership and Research Committee comes into play. Continued dissemination of our research findings in various state and regional publications seems likely. Paul Mock and Larry Burgess reported that a presentation by CORAS of our research results had been accepted for the OSBA Capitol Conference. Aimee Howley and Larry Burgess will make the presentation on Wednesday, November 12 at 9:00 AM.

 Burgess is assembling the research documents for the literature review related to the next CORAS/COE study (board/superintendent relations) and Dr. Howley reported that a person had been identified to write the literature review. The literature review will be the basis for discussing the focus of the study at the next meeting of the Committee.

Resources for conducting CORAS/COE research comes in several forms: the donated services of Professor Aimee Howley, Dr. Max Evans and other members of the Leadership and Research Committee; the continuation by Ohio University of a student assistant for Dr. Howley through 2003-04; financial support by the College of Education ($10,000 annually) and the Ohio Appalachian Initiative (Rena Allen). The extent of future funding from the latter source is unknown at present but it is likely to be reduced, if not eliminated, for the next fiscal year. It was suggested that the Committee look for other sources of support, including AASA and NSBA.

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2003 at 10:00 AM in McCracken Hall, Ohio University.

FEBRUARY 11, 2003

The CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee met at McCracken Hall at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 11, 2003. Members present were: Larry Burgess, John Costanzo, Max Evans, Dick Fisher, James Heap, Aimee Howley, Tracey Leinbaugh, Marta Roth, Phil Satterfield, Jerry Vinci and Bob Scott.  Paul Mock, Secretary of the Southeast Region of the Ohio School Boards Association was also present. The purpose of the meeting was two-fold: to receive an update from Professor Aimee Howley regarding the status of the current research focus relating to "Who Will Lead our Schools?" and to continue discussion concerning the next research to be undertaken through CORAS/College collaborative efforts.

As noted in the summary of the Committee's October 15, 2002 meeting, research concerning the principal and superintendency has been completed and articles based on the findings have been published while still other publication outlets are being explored.

Aimee discussed some of the preliminary findings from the survey of teachers, which is nearing completion.

The Committee agreed that the implication of these studies should be shared with practitioners using a variety of dissemination means. It was decided that the first CORAS meeting of the new program year (September 16, 2003) should be devoted to this subject. A number of formats were briefly discussed, including a power point presentation, critiques by board members and superintendents, and small group discussions. Dick Fisher will work with Aimee Howley, Larry Burgess, Jerry Vinci and Bob Scott to organize these presentations. Invitations to this meeting will be extended not only to those on the usual CORAS mailing list, but also to representatives of organizations and agencies for whom this research might be of interest and value. (Mentioned were foundations, teachers unions, policy makers, and other universities.)

 It was also proposed that relevant materials (such as a one-page hard copy summary or power point presentation) be provided to boards and superintendents as a basis for discussion of the issues, which the studies raise. Paul Mock will arrange for a presentation at the OSBA Capitol Conference in November and explore the possibilities of an article with the editor of the OSBA Journal.

As an outgrowth of the CORAS meeting on January 28 devoted to the topic "Partners in Leadership: Barriers to Effective School Board/Superintendent Relationships", the Committee decided that board/superintendent relationships should be the focus for our next research undertaking. The proposal for this research, prepared by Larry Burgess and Aimee Howley, is presented below.

Dean James Heap reported that the College of Education would be continuing its support to CORAS for research undertakings. The Ohio Appalachian Initiative (Rena Allen, Ohio University, Southern Campus) has also been a major supporter of the CORAS/COE research work for the past several years, but the extent of resources from that source beyond this calendar year is presently in doubt.

The next meeting of the Leadership and Research Committee will be held on Tuesday, June 10, at 10:00 AM in McCracken Hall, Room 115. The agenda for that meeting will include, among other items, discussion of research questions for the board/superintendent studies and a report on plans for the September 16 CORAS meeting.

SUMMARY OF RESEARCH

The Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools (CORAS) is committed to research that sheds light on the problems and challenges facing superintendents and principals in Ohio’s schools. While its primary mission is to serve the schools of Ohio’s Appalachian region, the current research agenda is focused on finding reasons and solutions for the perceived shortage of qualified school administrators throughout Ohio.

Over the past three years, CORAS has examined the shortage of elementary and secondary school principals; the recruitment and retention of school superintendents; and the conditions of superintendent’s work. These studies have revealed the following:

By the year 2005, many states may face situations similar to Minnesota where approximately 75% of high-school principals will be eligible to retire.

Numerous reasons are cited for the difficulties in attracting and retaining school administrators. Most focus on the lack of financial incentives, time constraints, unreasonable demands of the job, and unfunded and unrealistic demands for accountability.

Similar findings are reported for superintendents. Inadequate resources and salary are primary reasons cited by superintendents in smaller districts as to the difficulty in recruiting and retaining qualified individuals. Superintendents also reported conflict with boards of education, lack of authority, unfunded mandates, and unreasonable expectations resulting from demands for accountability as reasons for problems in recruiting and retaining qualified superintendents.

Future research will focus on the dynamics of superintendent - school board relationships for the purpose of more accurately describing the factors that either promote or inhibit the attainment of school improvement goals.

CORAS RESEARCH PROPOSAL

During the past twenty years, public schools have been subjected to increasing public and political pressure to improve academic achievement levels of all students. More recently, high-stakes testing, content standards, competition from charter schools, and federal legislation, such as the No Child Left Behind Act, have intensified these demands for school improvement. In Ohio's Appalachian region, these pressures are often exacerbated by a lack of resources and a difficulty in attracting highly qualified teachers and administrators. Numerous articles have proposed that school board-superintendent collaboration is a critical factor in school reform, particularly in the face of increased challenges.

This research project will continue the examination of school board-superintendent relationships for the purpose of more accurately describing the relationship dynamics that either promote or inhibit the attainment of school improvement goals.

Initially, a comprehensive review of the literature will be conducted to determine those aspects of the board-superintendent relationship that need further study. The results of this examination will provide direction to for the development of the research questions that will guide a series of focused studies of board and superintendent relations.

This research initiative will add to our understanding of the complex nature of the board-superintendent relationship and foster a greater awareness of how constructive relationships can be initiated and maintained for the good of our schools.

Approved: February 11, 2003

CORAS/COE research study dealing with the

"Shortage of School Administration Candidates"

published in the Education Policy Analysis Archives

Education Policy Analysis Archives
Volume 10 Number 43	October 16, 2002	ISSN 1068-2341

A peer-reviewed scholarly journal
Editor: Gene V Glass
College of Education
Arizona State University

Copyright 2002, the EDUCATION POLICY ANALYSIS ARCHIVES.
Permission is hereby granted to copy any article if EPAA is credited and copies are not sold. EPAA is a project of the Education Policy Studies Laboratory.

Articles appearing in EPAA are abstracted in the Current Index to Journals in Education by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Assessment and Evaluation and are permanently archived in Resources in Education.

Attracting Principals to the Superintendency:
Conditions that Make a Difference to Principals

• Aimee Howley
  Ohio University

• Edwina Pendarvis
  Marshall University

• Thomas Gibbs
  Morgan Junior High School
  McConnnelsville, Ohio

Citation: Howley, A., Pendarvis, E. & Gibbs, T. (2002, October 16). Attracting principals to the superintendency: Conditions that make a difference to principals, Education Policy Analysis Archives, 10(43). Retrieved [date] from http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v10n43.html.

Abstract

Responding to a perceived shortage of school superintendents in Ohio as well as elsewhere in the nation, this study examined the conditions of the job that make it attractive or unattractive as a career move for principals. The researchers surveyed a random sample of Ohio principals, receiving usable responses from 508 of these administrators. Analysis of the data revealed that principals perceived the ability to make a difference and the extrinsic motivators (e.g., salary and benefits) associated with the superintendency as conditions salient to the decision to pursue such a job. Furthermore, they viewed the difficulties associated with the superintendency as extremely important. Among these difficulties, the most troubling were: (1) increased burden of responsibility for local, state, and federal mandates; (2) need to be accountable for outcomes that are beyond an educator’s control; (3) low levels of board support, and (4) excessive pressure to perform. The researchers also explored the personal and contextual characteristics that predisposed principals to see certain conditions of the superintendency as particularly attractive or particularly troublesome. Only two such characteristics, however, proved to be predictive: (1) principals with fewer years of teaching experience were more likely than their more experienced counterparts to rate the difficulty of the job as important to the decision to pursue a position as superintendent, and (2) principals who held cosmopolitan commitments were more likely than those who did not hold such commitments to view the salary and benefits associated with the superintendency as important. Findings from the study provided some guidance to those policy makers who are looking for ways to make the superintendency more attractive as a career move for principals. In particular, the study suggested that policy makers should work to design incentives that address school leaders’ interest in making a difference at the district level. At the same time, they should focus on efforts to reduce the burdens that external mandates contribute to the already burdensome job of school superintendent.

Click below to read the full article.

EPAA Vol. 10 No. 43 Howley, Pendarvis & Gibbs Attracting Principals to the Superintendency Conditions that Make a Difference to Principals

October 15, 2002

The CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee met at McCracken Hall at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 15, 2002. Members present were: Larry Burgess, John Costanzo, Dale Dickson, Charla Evans, Max Evans, Dick Fisher, Aimee Howley, Tracey Leinbaugh, Debbie Phillips, Marta Roth, Mark Sanford, Phil Satterfield and Jerry Vinci.

The purpose of the meeting was two-fold: to receive an up-date from Professor Aimee Howley regarding the status of the current research focus relating to the "administrator shortage" and to initiate discussion concerning the next research to be undertaken through CORAS/College collaborative efforts.

 The research concerning the principalship and superintendency has been completed and dissemination is underway through professional journals including the ERIC database. An article about principals' reasons for seeking or not seeking the superintendency will be published shortly in Educational Policy Analysis Archives and an article contrasting Appalachian and non-Appalachian superintendents' views of their work will be submitted to the Appalachian Studies Journal. It is expected that the analysis of the teacher surveys will be completed by February 2003. The return of teacher questionnaires was about 30 percent, in comparison with over two thirds of the administrator survey forms. The returns do, however, provide a rich source of anecdotal data, which are expected to provide insights into teachers' decisions to seek or not seek school administrative positions.

A number of future research needs were identified, including issues related to special education, training programs for administrators, school finance, and accountability.

Aimee Howley has agreed to prepare a brief concept paper focusing on the subject of accountability in Appalachian Ohio that will be circulated to members prior to the next meeting of the Committee.

The Committee agreed that attention needs to be given to means for bringing appropriate closure to our current research work. This will involve, among other things, examining the interrelatedness of findings and conclusions from the principal, superintendent and teachers studies; identifying the implications, if any, for educational practices; and sharing this knowledge widely with relevant groups.

Jerry Vinci shared with the Committee the innovative program that the Buckeye School District has undertaken to identify teachers interested in becoming school administrators and to provide them with job-related experiences as well as opportunities to pursue academic programs. Eight teachers participated in the program the first year and most will continue into the second year. Four teachers have applied this year to enter the program. The Board of Education provides modest financial support. The Committee agreed that this program should be disseminated to other districts as an example of "growing your own" administrators.  Jerry will be presenting it at the Capitol Conference, and arrangements will be made to incorporate a presentation into a future CORAS program. Consideration will be given to having doctoral students conduct an evaluation of the program.

Resources for funding research were also discussed. The College of Education provides $10,000 annually to support research, while the Ohio Appalachian Initiative (based at the Southern Campus) has set aside $18,000 for this purpose.  Research grant applications have been made to the Wallace Readers' Digest fund (not funded) and to the U. S. Office of Education (response pending). Other sources of funding will be pursued. It was noted also that a critical source of support for our research is the leadership, commitment and research skills of Professor Aimee Howley, who receives no compensation for the time and efforts she devotes to CORAS/COE research endeavors.

The next meeting of the Leadership and research Committee will be on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 at 10:00 AM in McCracken Hall.  The agenda will include: discussion of the findings from the teacher surveys, actions needed to bring closure to the current research work, a discussion of accountability as the next research focus, and dissemination of the Buckeye district's experience with growing its own administrators.

Prepared by: Max Evans, Co-Chair

December 4, 2001

COALITION OF RURAL AND APPALACHIAN SCHOOLS 

CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee Meeting Review

Prepared by Dr. Max Evans, Co-chair

    The CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee met at McCracken Hall at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, December 4, 2001. Members present were: Gordon Brooks, Dale Dickson, Max Evans, Richard Fisher, Tom Gibbs, Aimee Howley, Tracy Leinbaugh, Marta Roth, Phillip Satterfield, Debbie Phillips, Randy Shrider, and Deborah Telfer.  New members Gordon Brooks, assistant professor in the Education Studies Department and Debbie Phillips, Rural School and Community Organizing Project were introduced. It was announced that Larry Burgess will be taking over the research responsibilities formerly carried out by Tom Gibbs, who is taking an administrative position with the Morgan County School District. Tom was thanked for his excellent service to the research undertaking over the past year.

The primary purpose of the meeting was to assist Dr. Howley with the development of items for the surveys of teachers holding/not holding administrator licenses. The basic question is to determine the conditions that would affect a teacher's decision to pursue a position as a school principal. The survey will include items from the earlier survey of principals and added items tailored to the two teacher populations. Many suggestions were made for additional items about reasons for pursuing or not pursuing the principalship, personal information items and open-ended items. The survey will be mailed to approximately 1000 randomly selected teachers in each of the two groups. Prior to mailing, the survey will be pilot tested with teachers taking classes at Ohio University.

There was follow-up discussion of the meeting with Dr. Susan T. Zelman, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, in Logan on November 29, 2001. Dr. Zelman expressed great interest in the studies being undertaken by CORAS/COE, including which policies are hamstringing administrators, and suggesting a longitudinal study of policy impact on leadership autonomy/efficacy. She also indicated support for grant-writing to garner funds for follow-up studies. Dr. Howley indicated that such grant applications would probably be developed next summer (2002).

There were brief reports from those who presented the research findings to OSBA (Dickson, Hansen and Satterfield), Elementary Principals (Gibbs and Ludwig) and BASA (Mahoney and Evans). Dr. Howley indicated that "fact sheets" were being developed which could be disseminated statewide. Deb Telfer reported on the video produced by the principal associations and the ODE and note was taken of the OSBA publication Administrative Shortages: Is There a Problem? Copies of the video will be sent to all Committee members. Deb Telfer will also speak informally with representatives of the OEA and OFT regarding the research project, including the survey of teachers. Dick Fisher discussed briefly the report Ohio's Appalachian Children undertaken by the Children's Defense Fund-Ohio which was made possible by a grant from the Longaberger Foundation.

The meeting was adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Research Project "Shortage of School Administrators"

Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools

Ohio University College of Education

This page, and the following four pages, provide preliminary results from the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools/Ohio University College of Education research project dealing with the "Shortage of School Administrators. The project is coordinated by the CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee, Max Evans, Professor Emeritus, Ohio University and Dale Dickson, Superintendent, Perry-Hocking ESC Co-chairpersons.

Dr. Aimee Howley, Professor of Educational Administration, Ohio University, is Lead Researcher.

The project is funded by the Ohio Appalachian Initiative, Rena Allen, Director; Ohio University College of Education, James Heap, Dean; and the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools, Dick Fisher, Executive Director.

Other affiliate organizations participating in the study include the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio School Boards Association, the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators, and the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators.

Page 1

  

WHO WILL LEAD OUR SCHOOLS?

Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools/College of Education Research Project

A Summary of the Project Prepared by

 Dr. Max Evans, Co-chair of the CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee.

Sponsors: Coalition of Rural and Appalachian School, Ohio University College of Education, OASSA, OAESA, BASA, OSBA, ODE, Ohio Appalachian Initiative

Principal Researchers: Dr. Aimee Howley, Professor, Ohio University and Tom Gibbs, Doctoral student/ Assistant Principal, Morgan County

Focus: A statewide study of the shortage of the shortage of qualified applicants for school administrative positions

Method: Survey of principals and superintendents completed; survey of teachers now underway. Further studies in the pipeline, including in-depth interviews with assistant principals and ethnographic study of districts with high and low administrator turnover.

Principals' responses: Only the data from a random sample of 826 principals have been has been analyzed (62% return) 36% female; 64% male; average age 47.3; average years as teacher- 12.8; average years as principal- 10.2; rural 24.1%, metro/suburban 75.9 %. (Note: Designations of rural, suburban, metro were by respondents Few metropolitan principals responded, thus combining metro/suburban.)

What the principals say are the most appealing conditions of the superintendency:

Chance to have a greater impact
Satisfaction associated with "making a difference"
Opportunity to implement creative personal ideas

What the principals say are the least appealing conditions of the superintendency:

Increased burden of responsibility for local, state and federal mandates
Need to be accountable for outcomes that are beyond an educator's control
Low levels of board support

What principals say are the most appealing conditions of the principalship:

Chance to have a greater impact
Satisfaction associated with "making a difference"
Improved annual salary

What principals say are the least appealing conditions of the principalship:

Excessive pressure to conform
Increased burden of responsibility for local, state and federal mandates
Expectation to spend more time in the building

A few of the conclusions of the study:

Principals - no matter what their characteristics or the characteristics of their schools - tend to view school leadership in very similar ways

Attracting educators to the principalship involves actions that increase opportunities for principals to make a difference and decreases the pressures placed on principals


Attracting principals to the superintendency involves actions that increases the opportunities for school leaders to make a difference

Page 2

RESEARCH PROJECT "SHORTAGE OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS"

 Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools

Ohio University College of Education

WHAT THE LITERATURE SAYS

The Conditions of the Superintendency That Might Contribute to a Shortage of Qualified Applicants

•  It is difficult to find objective data describing exactly how bad the shortage is and if the shortage is more severe in certain areas than in others.

• Possible reasons for the shortage: complexity and stress of the job, long hours, employment discrimination (i.e., boards' unwillingness to hire women and minorities).

• Frustrations associated with the superintendency: conflicts especially with "external" constituencies (e.g., state departments of education, boards of education, and unions), lack of resources.

• Satisfaction associated with the superintendency: making a difference, learning how to solve problems. Educators who hold the job of superintendent appear to be satisfied with the position. There is some evidence that superintendent in the largest districts and smallest districts find their jobs less satisfying than others.

• Suggested remedies: more field experience in pre-service preparation programs; programs to "grow your own superintendents;" active grooming and recruitment of superintendents, especially women and minorities.

Page 3

RESEARCH PROJECT "SHORTAGE OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS"

 Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools

Ohio University College of Education

PRINCIPALS' RATINGS OF APPEALING AND UNAPPEALING CONDITIONS OF THE PRINCIPALSHIP

Appealing Conditions	mean	standard deviation
chance to have a greater impact	3.29	.65
satisfaction associated with "making a difference"	3.26	.67
improved annual salary as a principal	3.23	.74
opportunity to implement creative personal ideas	3.19	.65
satisfaction of providing support to staff	3.09	.68
encouragement to become a principal offered by higher level administrators	2.98	.75
improved benefit package	2.83	.86
greater control over work schedule	2.81	.79
increased opportunities for professional growth	2.81	.73
high levels of administrative support	2.81	.82
higher status	2.70	.78
Unappealing Conditions
excessive pressure to perform	3.20	.82
increased burden of responsibility for local, state and federal mandates	3.10	.83
expectation to spend more time in the building	2.90	.84
stress associated with anticipated conflict with unions	2.89	.91
lower per diem salary	2.87	1.02
low levels of administrative support	2.86	.89
less job security	2.81	.99
lack of clarity about job expectations	2.61	.83
need for greater amounts of technical knowledge	2.53	.77
principalship is overly dominated by males	1.90	.86

* FOOTNOTE A mean score (i.e., the arithmetic average) was computed for responses to each Likert-type item on the instrument. These items included a response choice format with four values representing the extent to which principals saw various appealing and unappealing conditions of the principalship as salient to their decision to pursue or not to pursue a job as principal. The four values were: 1=very low extent, 2=low extent, 3=high extent, and 4=very high extent. A hypothetical mean of 2.5 would correspond to the mid-point on this scale. Mean scores above 2.5, suggest the relatively high salience of an item, and mean scores below 2.5 suggest the relatively low salience of an item. The table provides standard deviations associated with each mean. The standard deviation is a measure of variability of scores around the mean. Approximately 68% of all scores in a distribution fall in the range between one standard deviation below and one standard deviation above the mean. Page 4

RESEARCH PROJECT "SHORTAGE OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS"

 Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools

Ohio University College of Education

PRINCIPALS' RATINGS OF APPEALING AND UNAPPEALING CONDITIONS OF THE SUPERINTENDENCY

Appealing Conditions	mean	standard deviation
chance to have a greater impact	3.17	.80
anticipated satisfaction associated with "making a difference"	3.11	.84
opportunity to implement creative personal ideas	3.06	.77
anticipated satisfaction associated with the ability to provide support to school and district staff	3.05	.75
high levels of board support	2.93	.97
improved annual salary	2.78	.85
improved benefit package	2.77	.88
greater control over work schedule	2.72	.83
increased opportunities for professional growth	2.70	.86
higher status	2.42	.84
Unappealing Conditions
increased burden of responsibility for local, state, and federal mandates	3.08	.93
need to be accountable for outcomes that are beyond an educator's control	2.94	.93
low levels of board support	2.90	1.03
excessive pressure to perform	2.90	.96
stress associated with anticipated conflict with teachers' union	2.75	.97
increased work load	2.64	.95
lack of clarity about job expectations	2.45	.87
need for greater amounts of technical knowledge	2.32	.80
superintendency is overly dominated by males	1.78	.90

  * FOOTNOTE

A mean score (i.e., the arithmetic average) was computed for responses to each Likert-type item on the instrument. These items included a response choice format with four values representing the extent to which principals saw various appealing and unappealing conditions of the superintendency as salient to their decision to pursue or not to pursue a job as superintendent. The four values were: 1=very low extent, 2=low extent, 3=high extent, and 4=very high extent. A hypothetical mean of 2.5 would correspond to the mid-point on this scale. Mean scores above 2.5, suggest the relatively high salience of an item, and mean scores below 2.5 suggest the relatively low salience of an item. The table provides standard deviations associated with each mean. The standard deviation is a measure of variability of scores around the mean. Approximately 68% of all scores in a distribution fall in the range between one standard deviation below and one standard deviation above the mean.

Page 5

September 11 and 27, 2001

COALITION OF RURAL AND APPALACHIAN SCHOOLS

Leadership and Research Committee Update

The CORAS/College of Education Leadership and Research Committee met on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 and Thursday, September 27, 2001.  The focus of the meetings was a discussion of  the  research to date and the implications and plans for carrying the work forward.

The agenda dealt with the following major matters relating to the study of the reported shortage of qualified candidates for school leadership positions in Ohio:

• An overall review of the status of the research undertaking, including plans for the teacher survey and related studies.
• What the literature is saying about the problem. (A comprehensive review has been completed.)
• A review and discussion of the findings related to the surveys of Ohio's superintendents (70% return) and school principals (68% return).
• Plans for dissemination of the findings.
• Aimee Howley and Tom Gibbs have developed a Power Point presentation to be used by presenters at Ohio Department of Education, Ohio School Boards Association, Buckeye Association of School Administrators, Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators, Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators and other meetings.

July 17, 2001

COALITION OF RURAL AND APPALACHIAN SCHOOLS

Leadership and Research Committee Update

Report Prepared by: Dr. Max Evans, L&R Committee Co-chair

  Work on our research regarding the shortage of qualified candidates for administrative positions in Ohio is progressing very well. As you will recall, Aimee Howley and Tom Gibbs sent a survey to all (611) school superintendents and a sample of 826 school principals. The response rate has been very high: 70% for superintendents and 68% for principals.

The analysis of data is well underway and is being assisted by four doctoral students. Jerry Johnson, Principal of Boyd County High School in Ashland, Kentucky is working on item analysis; Pat Hammer, Associate Director of the ERIC Clearinghouse on Rural Education and Small Schools, is assisting with the content analysis of open-ended questions; John Kellog, Principal of Grove City High School, is creating interview questions and will do follow-up interviews with approximately 100 principals throughout the state; and Brenda Haas, Principal of Dawson-Bryant High School, will complete in-depth ethnographic studies in two school districts, one with high administrator turnover and one with low turnover. In addition, Dr. Edwina Pendarvis, a Professor at Marshall University, is assisting with a review of literature related to this issue.

Work is also in progress to distribute the questionnaire to a sample of teachers, perhaps upwards of 2000, early in the fall. We will be seeking responses from two groups of teachers: those who have administrator licensure but have not held administrative positions and those who are not certificated for administrative positions.

As you know, the school leadership issue is a “hot topic” nationally and our work, no doubt, will be receiving a good deal of scrutiny. The findings from the principal/superintendent portion of the study will be presented at the BASA and OAESA fall conferences and the OSBA Capitol conference. (The OASSA fall program had already been completed, thus was unable to include a presentation.) There has also been some discussion about presentations at the national conferences of these groups. Aimee Howley and Tom Gibbs will be making a presentation at the American Education Research Association meeting next spring, which will include findings from the teacher portion of the study.

March 13, 2001

Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools

CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee Meeting Review

The CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee met from 10:00 am to 12:15 pm on March 13, 2001 in McCracken Hall, Ohio University. Committee members present in were: Barbara Hansen, Phil Satterfield, Max Evans, John Constanzo, Randy Shrider, Tracy Leinbaugh, Aimee Howley, Tom Gibbs and Dick Fisher.

• Update on the Status of the Research. Superintendent surveys are printed and will be mailed next week. Principal surveys will be mailed later this spring.
• Funding the Project.

$10,000 College of Education, through June 30, 2001

$15,000 Ohio’s Appalachia Initiative, through December 31, 2001

$10,000 College of Education, July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002 (tentative)

$15,000 Ohio’s Appalachia Initiative, July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002

• As a method to disseminate the results of the study, the committee decided to make presentations at conferences sponsored in the fall of 2001 by the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators (OAESA), Ohio Association of Secondary Administrators (OASSA), Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA), Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) and American Educational Research Association (AERA). Dr. Evans volunteered to arrange for presentations at OAESA, OASSA, BASA and OSBA conferences. Committee members agreed to be presenters. Dr. Howley and Tom Gibbs will arrange and make the presentations at the AERA national conference.
• The committee agreed that a literature review was necessary if the study is to be presented to a national forum. Tom Gibbs agreed to seek a graduate student with an interest in undertaking this assignment.
• The committee discussed the need for a project coordinator. It was agreed to seek a graduate student for this position.
• Since additional funds were available, the committee agreed to add, (1) conducting in-depth interviews with teachers, principals and superintendents in selected “high needs” areas and (2) conducting case studies of targeted rural and urban districts, to the research project.
• CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee Budget (July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2002.

$22,000 to complete the research currently underway.

$6,000 research writer

$6,000 printing and publishing

$8,000 project coordinator

$3,000 Conducting in-depth interviews

$3,000 Conducting case studies

$200 copying costs

$1,800 miscellaneous costs

          

$50,000 Total Budget July1, 2000 through June 30, 2002

January 30, 2001

Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools

CORAS/COE Leadership & Research Committee Meeting Review

The CORAS/COE Leadership & Research Committee met at the Ohio University Inn at 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, January 30, 2001. Committee members present were Co-chairs Dale Dickson and Max Evans, Aimee Howley, Thomas Gibbs, Dorothy Leal, Tracy Leinbaugh, Lorrinda Saxby, John Costanzo, James Heap, Dean, College of Education and Dick Fisher, CORAS Executive Director.

• Thomas Gibbs and Dr. Aimee Howley reported on the work of the CORAS/COE Leadership & Research Sub-committee. Committee members were given a report, Review of CORAS/COE Leadership & Research Sub-committee Meeting, January 16, 2001, describing the work of the sub-committee.

• The committee established a budget for the period through June 30, 2001. The budget allocated $5000 for data entry and $6,600 for booklets and mailings. CORAS will provide funding up to $1,600 if the budget exceeds the $10,000 in the research account. Dr. Howley and Thomas Gibbs will authorize and approve expenditures.

• Committee member Dr. Dorothy Leal graciously offered student help to package and mail surveys. The Committee accepted her offer.

• An introductory letter, to be included with the survey materials, will be on College of Education, Ohio University letterhead. All participating and affiliated organizations will be listed on the introductory letter. The letter will be sent over the signature of Dr. James Heap, Dean, College of Education, Ohio University.

• The survey will be sent to superintendents and principals after March 1, 2001. The survey will be mailed to teachers in the Fall 2001.

6. Executive Director Fisher discussed the program for the March 14, 2001 CORAS membership meeting, Focus on Leadership Conference. The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn, Zanesville. Dr. Joseph Murphy, Director of the Ohio Principals Leadership Academy, will be the featured speaker. Dr. Aimee Howley will present a 'Progress Report' on the research project, Shortage of School Administration (school leadership) Candidates. Jennifer Stewart, member of the State Board of Education, 9th District, will be the luncheon speaker. Following lunch, a round table discussion will take place to address the question: What makes sense for initial licensure for school principals? Dr.Aimee Howley will facilitate the round table discussion. Review of CORAS/COE Leadership & Research Sub-committee MeetingJanuary 16, 2001

On January 16, 2001 the CORAS/COE Leadership & Research Sub-committee met with members of various professional organizations, university faculty and a representative of the Ohio Department of Education to begin design of a questionnaire to investigate educators' perceptions of issues impacting administrator supply and demand. Those in attendance included: Dick Fisher, CORAS Executive Director;  Dale Dickson, Perry-Hocking ESC and CORAS President; Dr. Barbara Hansen, East Muskingum Local; Dr. Phil Satterfield, Paint Valley Local; Randy Shrider, Marietta City; and Dr. Max Evans, Professor Emeritus, Ohio University; Dr. Aimee Howley, Professor, Ohio University; Thomas Gibbs, Ohio University; Deb Telfer, Ohio Department of Education; Steve Raines, OASSA; Ron Stebelton, OAESA; and Dr. Jim Mahoney, Muskingum Valley ESC and BASA.

Dr. Howley and Tom Gibbs proposed several overarching research questions and opened the floor for discussions about domains and subdomains associated with the research questions.  After identifying nearly 35 possible domains, the group created a draft of the questionnaire.  This draft will be edited by faculty at Ohio University and mailed to the group in early February for additional comments and suggestions.  Upon reviewing the comments, Dr. Howley and Mr. Gibbs will create a final instrument and begin the process of surveying all 612 superintendents and a random sample of principals.  It was decided that the initial survey would elicit responses from principals and superintendents.  This first phase of the study will be completed during spring, 2001.  A second phase of the study, surveying teachers, would be conducted in fall, 2001.

Other suggestions included a follow-up study of the perceptions that school board members and the general public have of issues impacting administrator supply and demand. By comparing the data from various respondent groups the research team hopes to findrecurring themes associated with the principalship and use those themes to make recommendations regarding the preparation, recruitment, and retention of school administrators. As this project proceeds CORAS will be asking their members to encourage administrators and teachers to complete and return the questionnaires associated with this study.

November 6, 2000

CORAS/COE Leadership & Research Committee

Meeting Review

The CORAS/COE Leadership & Research Committee met at McCracken Hall, Ohio University on Monday, November 6, 2000. Co-chair Dale Dickson called the meeting to order at 2:10 PM.

Committee members present were: Barbara Hansen, East Muskingum Local;  James Mahoney, Muskingum Valley ESC; Andrew Frese, Muskingum College; Robert Grueser, Warren Local; Dorothy Leal, College of Education; Aimee Howley, College of Education; Phil Satterfield, Paint Valley Local; Tracy Leinbaugh, College of Education; Max Evans, Professor Emeritus and Committee Co-chair; Dale Dickson, Perry-Hocking ESC, CORAS President and Committee Co-chair; and Dick Fisher, CORAS Executive Director.  Committee members James Heap, Dean, College of Education and Lorrinda Saxby, St. Clairsville City were unable to attend.

The meeting opened with introductions, background information on the formation of the CORAS/COE Leadership & Research Committee and a review of the October 27, 2000 Hicks Executive-In-Residence program, “Who Will Lead Our Schools?”

Co-chair Evans distributed and discussed two documents, which he had prepared, “The Emerging Shortage of Able Educators…” and “Some Guidelines for Consideration.”

Fisher discussed the three phases of the proposed CORAS Special Project, “Focus on Leadership: Shortage of Administrative Candidates in the Region”, approved by the CORAS Board of Directors at their annual planning meeting on August 6-7, 2000.

After a lengthy discussion period, the committee reached consensus on the following:

1. There is a serious problem with the supply of able educators interested in becoming school administrators in rural Appalachia Ohio as well a throughout the state.

2. The Focus of the research should be on identifying the underlying causes of the problem and steps to be taken to address them.

3. Any research that is undertaken needs to be well done, because those who are opposed to the recommended policy changes may challenge it.

4. The parameters of the study should include teachers ( those having administrator certification but not seeking such positions), principals and superintendents.

5. If the study were done statewide, it would provide a stronger base for later advocacy.

What Was Decided?

• Co-chair Dickson asked James Mahoney if he, and the Muskingum Valley ESC, would lead the research effort. Dr. Mahoney responded they would.

• The following tasks were identified.

(a) Design the project using valid research procedures.

(b) Develop a two-fold budget. First, a short-term budget through June 30, 2001 and second, a budget encompassing the full research project.

(c) Construct survey instruments.

(d) Identify and develop other methods of data collection.

(e) Secure partners to help with the research project (such as OSBA, BASA, OASSA, OAESA and ODE).

• Committee Co-chair Dickson appointed a sub-committee. Those appointed to the sub-committee were Max Evans, Chr., James Mahoney, Barbara Hansen, Aimee Howley and Phil Satterfield. Their assignment is:

(a) To develop survey instruments to be used with teachers, principals and superintendents to gather data relating to the research project.

(b) To develop a one-page proposal ( RFP), and a one page preliminary budget to run through June 30, 2001.

(c) To determine the data collection process.

(d) To provide a progress report to the full committee in January 2001.

• Dr. Howley volunteered to try to identify a doctoral student who would be interested in this project as a doctoral dissertation and who would devote extensive time to its implementation.

• Committee Co-chair Evans agreed to contact possible partners including the Ohio School Boards Association, the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators, Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators and the Ohio Department of Education. This assignment also included a personal contact with Jerry Klenke, BASA, who had previously expressed interest in the project.

• The CORAS/COE Leadership & Research Committee will meet again on January 30, 2001 FROM 1:00 TO 3:00 PM at the Ohio University Inn. The sub-committee, appointed by the co-chair, is to report to the full committee at this time.

Co-chair Dickson adjourned the meeting at 4:00 PM.

Focus on Leadership: Shortage of School Administration Candidates

Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools

(CORAS/COE Special Project)

The CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee is designing a study that will focus on leadership for member schools, targeting the shortage of principal and superintendent candidates available in the 29 Ohio Appalachian counties. The project will determine the extent of the shortage, identify reasons why the shortage exists and offer recommendations on how to increase the pool of available school administration candidates. The committee will also generate ideas and make suggestions for an in-service awareness conference for CORAS membership dealing with the leadership issue. Phase I of the study was completed in October 2000. Phase II is ongoing and may take a year or two to complete. A Progress Report will be provided to membership in March 2001. Below are activities for the 2000-01 school year.

PHASE I

The October 27, 2000 Hicks Executive-in-Residence program, held at the Ramada Inn, Nelsonville, Ohio, was framed as an exploratory conference.  The theme was, “Who Will Lead Our Schools?” The Hicks program served as the “kick-off” for the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools to address the issue of leadership for public schools and the shortage of available qualified administrative candidates in the region. Dr. James Mahoney, Superintendent of the Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center was named the Samuel I. Hicks Executive-in-Residence for 2000.  Dr. Mahoney delivered the keynote address.

PHASE II

CORAS, in collaboration with one or more Educational Service Centers, the College of Education, other agencies and/or individuals, will research, study and expand upon the questions/answers developed at the Hicks Executive-in-Residence Conference. Some essential questions addressed at the conference and to be examined further by additional research and study are: 

1. Is there a critical issue related to educational leadership in this country or is it a “manufactured crisis”? If there is a problem approaching crisis proportions, to what extent does it apply to Ohio? To rural, Appalachia Ohio?

2. How does the problem manifest itself nationally? In Ohio? In rural, Appalachia Ohio?

3. What are the causes of the problem? Nationally? In Ohio? In rural, Appalachia Ohio?

4. What can CORAS, in collaboration with other entities, do to address the leadership problems identified by the study and research? What course of action is needed assure quality leadership in the future for the region?

5. What research needs to be done to further understand and respond to the problem?

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE AND PROGRESS REPORT

A leadership conference and progress report will be held on March 14, 2000 at the Holiday Inn, Zanesville, Ohio.  This conference will include (1) a nationally known speaker on educational leadership and (2) a progress report on the research and study conducted by CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee.