In June of 2021 I completed my doctoral dissertation at the University of Kansas on How British Columbia School Superintendents Spend Their Time. Here is a link to the dissertation and here are presentation slides that share some of the key findings:
I had previously written on my blog about the rationale for exploring this topic. (link to blog post on topic) And here is a summary of the proposal for the dissertation presented in 2020:
Over the last decade, the superintendency has been on the job training. There is only one of me in our organization, so unlike when I was a principal there is not a natural in-district group of colleagues to learn from and with. I had the good fortune of being appointed to the position of superintendent in October of 2009 and not actually assuming the role until January 2011 which gave me 14 months to work side-by-side with the incumbent on a transition. That said, as I have found that it can be a lonely job.
There is no limit to the tasks that can full under the superintendent’s portfolio. For some, I know they spend at least 50% of their time with their Board on governance, for others this time is much less. I have found myself in schools far more than my predecessor but he was much more engaged in work in the community. I have had real interest in what I see as a changing role for the Superintendent particularly given the digital changes all around us.
In my work through the University of Kansas (2019-21) here are several papers that I wrote on various topics related to my areas of interest:
Dissertation Prospectus – How British Columbia Superintendents Spend Their Time
Linking the Work of the Superintendent to Special Education
School on a Dial – Building a Pandemic Friendly School System (with Michelle LaBounty and Sandra-Lynn Shortall)
Remote Learning and the Six Principles of Special Education in West Vancouver (with Michelle LaBounty and Sandra-Lynn Shortall)
Does the banning of cell phones in high schools increase on task behaviour (A Research Proposal) (with Michelle LaBounty and Sandra-Lynn Shortall)
cultureofyes.ca 