ABSTRACT
The American public school superintendency has moved through three distinct phases of growth and development during the past 100 years or so. It is on the brink of a fourth phase that has just begun. Traditionally, over changed and changing circumstances, the district superintendent has been held ultimately responsible for the success of the public schools. Even though teachers, principals and school board members greatly outnumber superintendents, the bottom line responsibility for influencing and managing the quality of education rests on superintendents’ shoulders.
