Tim Cook, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Education, Ron Fussell, EdD, assistant professor and associate chair of the Department of Education, and the Rev. Tom Simonds, SJ, EdD, professor and associate chair of the Department of Education, recently recorded a video presentation for the annual meeting of Catholic school superintendents and researchers from Catholic higher education. The annual conference this year is web-based.
“Stories from the Catholic School Superintendency: Things Need to Change,” reports the results of the research team’s qualitative study of attrition and retention of Catholic school superintendents. Stability in the Catholic school superintendency is essential for continuity of vision in (arch)diocesan Catholic school systems. However, many Catholic school superintendents leave their positions earlier than expected. In this on-demand session, the presenters reveal the findings from a recent study of former Catholic school superintendents who shared stories about what attracted them to the Catholic school superintendency and what drove them away.
Based on the findings, Cook, Fussell and Simonds make recommendations for improving retention of Catholic school superintendents. Recommendations include a two-year induction process, ongoing spiritual support, nurturing entrepreneurship, developing national standards for the Catholic superintendency, and giving special attention to recruiting and retaining women.
