| There is limited research currently available on the role of the superintendent in accomplishing district-wide school reform in a rural school system. The purpose of this study is to determine to what extent, if any, do propositions developed from current literature on leadership in business and school settings provide a framework for accomplishing school-wide reform in a rural school setting. A case study design was used to provide an in-depth analysis of the project. Five research questions explored organizational structures, stakeholder relationships, communication and staff development plans as a means of accomplishing reform.; This study used a theoretical base from business and education change research to provide an operational structure for the superintendent behavior and as a common language for improvement efforts. Rural school district characteristics and leadership specific to rural schools were used to further define a framework specific to rural schools. The superintendent functioned as participant/observer and compiled and analyzed the data.; The research questions were answered as an organizational structure for analyzing the data gathered from multiple sources. An explanation-building format was used to triangulate the data and show convergence.; First, this study changed the way in which the superintendent provides leadership in his district by using a blended model derived from both business and educational literature. Secondly, the need for a new central office administrative structure emerged as a result of the research that reflects the importance of instruction as the primary business of the school district. Thirdly, implications for use in other rural districts include: the need for the superintendent of a rural district to assume a major leadership role in the community, the need for all public bodies to work together toward common goals, that major initiatives should be done with full public disclosure, that staff development is critical to district improvement and that a key to the success of district reform is developing supporting partners. |
