Evaluating the Superintendent in Iowa

Abstract

Superintendent evaluative instruments used by Iowa's largest school districts have common methods and criteria which do not reflect the unique circumstances and needs of each district. A data analysis of the criteria and methods to evaluate the superintendents was conducted. The findings show the superintendent evaluative instruments have less of a variety of methods than on types of methods used nationally. Iowa school districts use similar criteria to evaluate superintendents, and similar methods for this evaluative procedure. However, this study shows a strong similarity between the criteria and methods used in Iowa Association of School Boards' sample form and the criteria and methods used in Iowa school districts' instruments to evaluate the superintendents. Further study needs to be done, including all of Iowa's school districts to bring more validity to this study.