Abstract

I wish to express sincere appreciation to the members of my dissertation committee (Drs. Gail Furman, Gay Selby and Dennis Ray) for their support and assistance during this adventure. Particular thanks are due to Dr. Paul Goldman for picking up the mantle of committee chair and providing guidance in working through the former committee chair’s retirement, the process of getting an extension and the transitory moments of the accompanying frustration. My thanks also go to those 48 board chairs and 56 superintendents who took the time to respond to the lengthy survey. Their competency and professionalism is a credit to the world of education and vitally important to student success. Finally, I am deeply grateful and indebted to my family. My wife Kathy has stood by me for the past 23 years, encouraging me always and cajoling when necessary. My children, Erik, Troy, Sean, Brandon, Stephanie and Caleb, provide an ever-present reminder of the reason the work of education is so critically important