The Maryland Superintendent Academy

Building the Foundation for Future Superintendents

The Maryland Superintendent Academy is a yearlong professional learning experience designed to build the bench of qualified, prepared, and diverse Maryland superintendents. The Academy is Maryland’s first statewide, grow your own model intentionally developed by the Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM) in collaboration the Region 4 Comprehensive Center to meet the unique needs of Maryland school district leadership.

The Need

On average, superintendent turnover rate is approximately 14-16 percent and the average tenure for a superintendent is 5-6 years (AASA, 2006). The turnover rate has increased post pandemic to approximately 25 percent (Morton and Valley, 2022).
Approximately 37 percent of the 500 largest school districts have experienced leadership turnover since March 2020 (ILO Group, January 2022).
A new law in Maryland, Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, places increased accountability and specific requirements for the professional growth of superintendents.

Selection Process

Participants undergo a rigorous application and selection process led by a selection committee. All participants must express a strong interest in being a Maryland superintendent, demonstrate effective leadership experience in central office, and commit to completing the Academy. The first cohort of participants will consist of up to 24 participants representing Maryland school districts.

Learning Plan

Academy participants function as a community of practice, learning from national experts and current and former Maryland superintendents. The learning will occur through 7 in person sessions, 3 virtual sessions, a job shadowing experience, and various other interactions with sitting superintendents. Throughout the yearlong Academy, participants will:

analyze the disposition and competencies necessary to lead a Maryland rural, urban, and suburban school district,
analyze shifts in leadership required by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future,
participate in a job shadow experience with a current Maryland superintendent,
receive hands-on training on how to complete the application and interview process,
learn how to negotiate a superintendent contract,
analyze school funding formulas and revenue streams,
learn how to collaborate with local boards, elected officials, and community members,
learn how to negotiate and select contracts for transportation, food services, and other items essential for school operations,
examine effective practices for leading school construction and renovation projects,
analyze strategies to reduce achievement gaps for English learners, students with disabilities, and historically marginalized students,
discuss how to build a district leadership team, and
develop a 100-day plan, and much more.

The link with more session details in the learning plan can be found here. Access to the resources can be found here.New Maryland Superintendent Meetings are designed to support effective entry and success in the superintendency. The convenings establish a collegial learning network, prepare leaders to proactively address the nuances of Maryland district leadership, and share effective practices for navigating the superintendency. Each session provides the opportunity for participants to engage in collective problem-solving around real scenarios, reflect on lessons learned, ask questions, and engage with current and former superintendents. The learning plan consists of three sessions.

The Learning Plan