Superintendents' Network

The Superintendents’ Network is a clinical study group comprised of twenty-two superintendents guided by Harvard University professors Richard F. Elmore and Lee Teitel and focused on improving instructional practice.

The participating superintendents meet 10 times per year for 5 hours to discuss ways to improve student achievement and connect Elmore’s theoretical work about accountability, distributed leadership and professional development to their actual practice.

Alternate sessions are clinical examinations of a school and focus on a problem related to the theme of instructional improvement that is posed by the district superintendent. The superintendents work collaboratively to examine classroom practice, describe their observations using protocols, and suggest strategies for improvement. They consider how to use a superintendent’s leverage points – resources, time, accountability, professional development – to improve their districts and to create the conditions that foster student achievement.

The Network breaks down the isolationism of superintendents and individual districts and promotes sharing and peer support. As noted by New Britain superintendent Doris Kurtz:

“This group focuses on helping superintendents build instructional leadership capacity to meet the demands of the 21^st century – raising student achievement for all students. Historically, superintendents were hired to be managers and had no specific training, knowledge or skills as instructional leaders. Times have changed, but instructional leadership capacity lags behind. The Superintendents’ Network is helping us develop that capacity.”

The twenty-six superintendents currently participating in the Network represent geographically and demographically diverse districts. These districts serve approximately 135,000 students, 45% of whom are minority and 39% of whom are eligible for free or reduced lunch, exceeding the state averages. Twelve of the superintendents are women; three are African-American; one is Latino.