Developing the Next Generation of Maryland District Leaders: The Maryland Superintendent Academy

In the 2021-2022 school year, 40% of Maryland school districts had superintendent openings that needed to be filled prior to the start of the next school year, with more anticipated over the course of the next few years. The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM) wanted to proactively address superintendent turnover by establishing a pipeline of future Maryland school district leaders that are equipped with the skills and knowledge to successfully transition to the role of superintendent. The R4CC team is helping PSSAM implement a year-long professional learning experience, grounded in research-based practices and designed to build the bench of qualified, prepared, and diverse Maryland superintendents. Participants function as a community of practice, learning from national experts and current and former Maryland superintendents. The Academy provides participants a competitive advantage in the application and interview process and practical experiences to support a successful transition to the superintendency. The first Academy cohort launched in August 2022. For additional information, visit the meeting webpage.