Evaluating School Superintendents : A Guide to Employing Processes and Practices That are Fair and Effective

This book provides guidelines to Boards of Education and the members of communities to conduct a high-quality, research-based evaluation of their school superintendent. It also includes examples of contemporary practices of evaluating superintendents practiced across the United States. In exploring the important issue of evaluation for the superintendent the complexities and aspects of the process that make it unique are highlighted.

Issues addressed include:

Existing state policies that require/govern superintendent evaluations & their impact on practiceEvaluation models that should be considered for evaluating superintendentsThe consequences of not having a clear set of policies/proceduresDetermining the major roles and responsibilities upon which the superintendent's evaluation should be based Documenting the superintendent’s job performanceThe policy, procedures, and training required for board members to successfully implement a superintendent evaluation system

The evaluation process proposed ensures fairness to the superintendent as well as providing accountability to the school district and community. The focus of all evaluations should be on improved performance. Evaluation is a means to an end. The ultimate purpose of superintendent evaluation is improving individual performance in order to ensure quality services and programs to students.

Michael F. DiPaola, Ed.D. is Chancellor Professor in the School of Education at William & Mary whose career in public schools spanned three decades, serving as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, high school principal, and district superintendent. Since joining the university faculty in 1998 his teaching and research, in the Educational Policy, Planning & Leadership Program, has focused on the interactions of professionals in school organizations, formative and summative assessment of professionals, school improvement, and the preparation of school leaders.



Tracey L. Schneider, J.D., Ph.D. began her career in education as an education law attorney and worked for more than a decade with school administrators and boards to understand and comply with laws impacting schools. She is currently Assistant Professor at Stockton University and travels throughout the country providing training and professional development to school administrators, school boards, and attorneys on a variety of education law and policy issues.

Steven R. Staples, Ed.D. is an Executive Professor in the School of Education at William & Mary whose career in public schools spanned four decades, serving as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, assistant superintendent and school superintendent for last 17 of those years. In 2008 joined faculty of the School of Education at William & Mary until 2012, when became the executive director of the state superintendent’s association. In 2014 Steve was selected and served as State Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Commonwealth of Virginia from 2014 until 2018, when he returned to William & Mary.