Career Path of School Superintendents / Norma T. Mertz and Sonja R. McNeely.

This study of the career paths of 147 Tennessee school superintendents sought to determine to what extent coaching and principalships are routes to that office. The majority of respondents were white males; only one was black, and 10 were female. The data were analyzed by group, race, sex, years in office, and method of selection (elected or appointed). Central tendency statistics and significance tests were used where appropriate. Findings revealed a clearly identifiable path to the superintendency--from coach to principal to central office administrator--with some variation in the particulars of the path, especially for appointed administrators. For instance, appointed female superintendents' career paths differed from those of appointed male superintendents. None had been high school administrators, nor coaches, although almost all had been central office administrators. The results suggest truth to the notion that coaching and high school administration are routes to the superintendency. (JAM)

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