Pathways to the Superintendency

State of the Superintendency

Over the past 10 years, superintendents have become more likely to land their appointments directly from a middle school or high school principalship rather than from a central-office post. In addition, the percentage of superintendents who were appointed from within the school district increased over time.

Surveys of 400 superintendents conducted in New York state in 2015 found it also was more likely for new superintendents (47 percent) rather than veteran superintendents (33 percent) to have held a position in the school district immediately prior to being appointed superintendent.