SDP - More Detailed Program Description

Description of the Superintendent Development Program

The Superintendent Development Program (SDP) is an established, recognized, year-long, field program that teaches and mentors experienced senior school administrators through the transition from their current position to Superintendent of Schools. Through July 2005, sixty-nine (69) SDP graduates have successfully moved into New York State Superintendency.

The Superintendent Development Program was designed and developed by five BOCES District Superintendents and faculty from Oswego State University. In six years (1998 to 2005) the program has had 226 graduates from 27 upstate BOCES regions. The NYS Council of School Superintendents, the NYS Association for Women in Administration, and the School Administrators Association of NYS have endorsed the program.

It is clear to administrators, faculty, and associates the significant commitment of time and energy required of participants in the Superintendent Development Program. The program runs continuously for 10 months, January to November, without breaks. Associates meet weekly with their team, attend five full day sessions, attend five Special Topic Sessions, and have additional meetings and assigned work. To be successful, participants must commit to the program expectations. Prior to acceptance they are screened by faculty, must discuss the program commitment with program faculty and program graduates, and seek the support of family, friends, and their Superintendent of Schools before committing to the Superintendent Development Program.

The Superintendent Development Program is for professional educators seeking to enter the Superintendency at the end of the program year. With acceptance and commitment to the SDP, associates must consider their career path and willingness to make a commitment to the superintendency. Associates successfully completing the program are awarded nine graduate credits by Oswego State University. Ninety five percent of associates have NYS School District Administrator Certification before entering the SDP. Approximately ten percent have an earned doctorate and approximately ten percent are enrolled in a doctoral program while in the SDP.

The foundation of the program consists of teams with two faculty mentors and five to seven associates working through a series of four or five authentic learning activities - real issues facing superintendents in local school districts. Each team has two team faculty who are sitting Superintendents of Schools.

Communication via computer technology is used extensively in the program. Participants must use e-mail and be proficient in computer communication.

Participants are trained to use systems thinking in areas identified as critical to success in the superintendency. Participants develop the skills and behavior necessary to enter the position of Superintendent of Schools.

SUPERINTENDENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

PROGRAM-LONG
Individual Effort and Initiative
Team Work – Effort and Initiative
Active Participation
Weekly Team Meetings
Computer Technology Communication

PRIOR TO THE ORIENTATION SESSION
Writing of Educational Platform Statements
SDP Administrator's Inventory

ORIENTATION SESSION
Presentation on Authentic Learning/Issue Analyses
Individual and Team Assessment Activities
Defense of Educational Platform Statements
SDP Administrator's Inventory Matrix
Team Direction Activities
Superintendents to Interview - Interview Questions - Meeting Logistics
Team Organization Activities
Scheduling Superintendent Interviews
First Authentic Learning Issue

FIRST HALF EXPECTATIONS
Interviews of Superintendents and Discussion of Current Issues (8)
Issue Analysis (3)
Special Topic Sessions (3)
     - Fiduciary Responsibilities of the Superintendent
     - The Budget Process and the Superintendent
     - The Superintendent and the Law
Two Day Shadowing (optional)
Three Part Board of Education Meeting
First Half Associate Critique

MID-YEAR SESSION
Presentation Team Reports on the Superintendency - associate pairs
Discussion with Education Leader
Special Topic Workshops
Superintendents/Associates Panel Discussions
Team Meetings and Social Time

SECOND HALF EXPECTATIONS
Interviews of Superintendents and Discussion of Current Issues (4)
Issue Analysis (2)
Team District Scan and Rollout Plan
Special Topic Session
     - Review of the District Scan and Entry Plan Activity
     - Presentation by College Faculty and Discussion on the District Scan and Entry
           Plan Presentation by District Superintendents and Discussion - "Inside the Superintendent Hiring
           Process" including the Superintendent Hiring, Superintendent Vacancies, Application Paperwork,
           Interviewing, and the Superintendent Contract.
     - Other Possible Special Topic Sessions

PRIOR TO THE CULMINATION SESSION
Educational Platform Statements - Rewrite
SDP Administrator's Inventory - Retake
Individual District Scan and Development of Rollout Plan
End of Program Associate Critique
Associate Screening Interviews with two District Superintendents and/or Consultants

CULMINATING SESSION
Associate Presentation of District Scan and Rollout Plan
Discussion of Transitions

Associate Time Commitment

MINIMUM CONTACT HOURS - 150 hours
     40 weekly meetings x 2 hours = 80 hours
     5 day sessions x 6 hours = 30 hours
     5 special topic sessions x 2 hours = 10 hours
     20 meetings with host superintendents x 1.5 hours = 30 hours

ESTIMATED AVERAGE CONTACT HOURS - 200 hours

ESTIMATED AVERAGE PROGRAM HOURS - 300 hours
   Contact hours plus Independent work hours - 300 hours

Direct Inquiries

Dr. James M. Merrins, Program Administrator
Superintendent Development Program
42 Rosalyn Court; Fredonia, NY 14063
Work Telephone: (716) 672-5473
FAX: (716) 672-5472
E-mail: jmerrins@cecomet.net

Dr. William Silky, Professor
Oswego State University
Work Telephone: (315) 492-4474
E-mail: wdsilky@aol.com