COALITION OF RURAL AND APPALACHIAN SCHOOLS

CORAS/COE Research Guidelines

March 4, 2008

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. An annual written progress report on the research will be submitted to the Executive Director by April 1^st of each year for distribution to CORAS members via email or U.S. Mail.

5. 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.

6. 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.

                                                                                                                                        3/08

COALITION OF RURAL AND APPALACHIAN SCHOOLS

CORAS/COE LEADERSHIP AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE

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

COALITION OF RURAL AND APPALACHIAN SCHOOLS

CORAS/COE LEADERSHIP AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE REVIEW

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.

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

COALITION OF RURAL AND APPALACHIAN SCHOOL

CORAS/COE LEADERSHIP AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE REVIEW

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.

COALITION OF RURAL AND APPALACHIAN SCHOOLS

CORAS/COE LEADERSHIP AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE REVIEW

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

 COALITION OF RURAL AND APPALACHIAN SCHOOLS

CORAS/COE LEADERSHIP AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE MEETING REVIEW

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.

 COALITION OF RURAL AND APPALACHIAN SCHOOLS

CORA/COE LEADERSHIP AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE MEETING REVIEW

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

Meeting Review Prepared by Dr. Max Evans

COALITION OF RURAL AND APPALACHIAN SCHOOLS

CORAS/COE LEADERSHIP AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE MEETING REVIEW

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.

COALITION OF RURAL AND APPALACHIAN SCHOOLS

CORAS/COE LEADERSHIP AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE MEETING

REVIEW

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

COALITION OF RURAL AND APPALACHIAN SCHOOLS

CORAS/COE LEADERSHIP AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE

MEETING REVIEW

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

COALITION OF RURAL AND APPALACHIAN SCHOOLS 

CORAS/COE Leadership and Research Committee Meeting Review

Prepared by Dr. Max Evans, Co-chair

December 4, 2001

    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.

Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools

Ohio University College of Education