TY  - JOUR
AB  - Because administration is the process of making decisions and
because values are an important part of administrative culture, values
are important in administrative work. The value orientations of American
public school superintendents are described. Interviews with 15
Midwestern superintendents provided the data for the study. Responses to
explicit questions about values are reported regarding the qualities
valued in subordinates, the factors that have limited professional
success, and criteria used to determine successful problem resolution.
Superintendents were also asked to describe the most serious problems
they had faced in their careers and their greatest achievements.
Analysis of the data indicated that superintendents as a group valued
human skills over either technical or conceptual skills. Though
superintendents said that they value individual discretion among
subordinates, they see it as a limited and qualified opportunity. Those
interviewed demonstrated a selective management memory, finding it
easier to describe their past accomplishments than serious problems they
had encountered during their careers. In general, they did not focus on
limitations, problems or failures. Most of those interviewed showed
little inclination to retrospective analysis of administrative actions,
contrary to contemporary calls for more reflective practitioners.
VL  - 29
IS  - 3
SN  - 0957-8234
DO  - 10.1108/09578239110004137
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/09578239110004137
AU  - Kasten K.L.
AU  - Ashbaugh C.R.
PY  - 1991
Y1  - 1991/01/01
TI  - The Place of Values in Superintendents′ Work
T2  - Journal of Educational Administration
PB  - MCB UP Ltd
Y2  - 2024/09/21
ER  -