Abstract
This study profiles superintendents in North Carolina public-school districts for academic year 2020-2021. We focus on superintendent gender, race, educational experiences, highest degrees earned, and professional longevity; and personal characteristics such as age and marital and parenting status, and the relationship between gender and race and geographic region served.
Data sources included a survey of all of North Carolina’s public-school district human resources directors; licensure and payroll records from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) for the years 2000, 2010, and 2021; and The American Superintendent: 2020 Decennial Study from the American Association of School Administrators.
Despite progress, we found significant disparities between superintendent demographics and their communities. Amid growing diversity, only 26% of public- school districts were led by females and 22% percent by an African American or Latinx. We also noted high turnover, inexperience, and interim appointments as red flags. We recommend actionable steps for research, policy, and practice.
Recommended Citation
Hart, Walter Ed.D.; Bingham, C. Steven Ed.D.; Robinson, Kerry Kathleen; and Watson, Jim Ed.D.
(2022)
"A Portrait of North Carolina School District Superintendents, 2000-2021,"
Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership: Vol. 7:
Iss.
2, Article 2.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/joel/vol7/iss2/2