A COMPARISON OF ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS WITH THE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES OF TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS

Problem. The problem was (1) to determine demographic data about current Texas superintendents; (2) to assess the effectiveness of certification programs; (3) to compare the certification programs with the superintendent's job responsibilities; (4) to solicit suggestions and recommendations for improving existing programs; and (5) to solicit suggestions and recommendations for developing future certification programs.; Procedure. The instrument utilized to gather data was mailed to 925 Texas public school superintendents in July 1982. The response rate was 55.8 percent. The data was tabulated and classified according to the certification program under which the respondents were certified.; Findings. The major findings were (1) the average Texas superintendent was a white male, about 49 years old, with more than seven years as a superintendent, and certified in a Texas public college; (2) the major strengths in the instruction received were in subjects concerned with secondary education, school law, educational and administrative theory, finance, public relations and supervision principles; (3) weaknesses in the instruction received were reported in subjects concerned with data processing, reduction-in-force policies and negotiation procedures; (4) major strengths reported in the effectiveness of the certification program in meeting the job responsibilities were basically the same as stated under the instruction received; (5) the superintendents rated all topics and/or subjects, with the exception of career education, as being essential to a future program; and (6) the specific recommendations made concerning program improvement were in the areas of course structure and curriculum within the certification program.; Recommendations. The recommendations offered were (1) courses should be designed for Texas superintendents; (2) provision should be made for including current interest topics within the program; (3) a full-year internship should be provided; (4) there should be greater emphasis on curriculum design in the programs; (5) there should be greater emphasis on business practices; (6) there should be a required inservice for active superintendents; and (7) a study of the superintendent's certification and job responsibilities as perceived by school board members should be conducted.