The Role of a Superintendent

One of the toughest jobs in America is superintendent of a large urban school district.

The superintendent is responsible for the education of every student in the district. Additionally, the superintendent oversees the budget, curriculum and instruction, human resources, labor relations, facilities and community relations. The superintendent must develop a vision and strategy that encompasses all of these elements and must engage a number stakeholders—district staff, teachers, parents and the greater community—to do what is best for students.

With this incredible challenge also comes an incredible reward—the chance to improve the lives of children. To be an urban superintendent means the opportunity to change the lives of some of the 6,000 students who drop out of high school every day, it means the opportunity to improve the lives of some of the 70 percent of eighth-graders who do not read at grade level and it means the opportunity to help end the crisis in America’s public schools and make sure every child is prepared for college, employment and a productive life.