Superintendent Certification
Program Standards for the Superintendent Certificate Standards
The Texas Education Code, Section 11.201, identifies the functions of a school district’s superintendent: Requirements for the Issuance of the Standard Superintendent Certificate. To be eligible to receive the standard Superintendent Certificate, a candidate must:
- satisfactorily complete an examination based on the standards identified in §242.15 of this title (relating to Standards required for the Superintendent Certificate); and
- successfully complete a State Board for Educator Certification-approved superintendent preparation program and be recommended for certification by that program; and
- hold, at a minimum, a master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education that at the time was accredited or otherwise approved by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; and
- hold, at a minimum, a principal certificate or the equivalent issued under this title or by another state or country; or
- have at least three creditable years of managerial experience in a public school district.
- The managerial experience must include responsibility for:
- supervising or appraising faculty or staff;
- conducting district-level planning and coordination of programs, activities, or initiatives; and
- creating or maintaining a budget.
- The candidate must submit an application to Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff for the substitution of managerial experience as defined in this paragraph. The TEA staff will review the application and will notify the applicant, in writing, of approval or denial within 60 calendar days from date of receipt.
- The managerial experience must include responsibility for:
Source: The provisions of this §242.20 adopted to be effective March 14, 1999, 24 TexReg 1617; amended to be effective September 2, 1999, 24 TexReg 6751; amended to be effective April 28, 2002, 27 TexReg 3354; amended to be effective July 13, 2004, 29 TexReg 6646; amended to be effective October 25, 2009, 34 TexReg 7202; amended to be effective February 28, 2016, 41 TexReg 1246.
Standard I Superintendent Certificate Standards
The knowledge and skills identified in this section must be used by an educator preparation program in the development of curricula and coursework and the State Board for Educator Certification as the basis for developing the examinations required to obtain the standard Superintendent Certificate. The standards also serve as the foundation for the individual assessment, professional growth plan, and continuing professional education activities required by §242.30 of this title (relating to Requirements to Renew the Standard Superintendent Certificate).
Standard II Learner-Centered Values and Ethics of Leadership
A superintendent is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by acting with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner.
Standard III. Learner-Centered Leadership and School District Culture.
A superintendent is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students and shapes school district culture by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community.
Standard IV Learner-Centered Human Resources Leadership and Management.
A superintendent is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by implementing a staff evaluation and development system to improve the performance of all staff members, selects and implements appropriate models for supervision and staff development, and applies the legal requirements for personnel management.
Standard V Learner-Centered Policy and Governance.
A superintendent is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context and by working with the board of trustees to define mutual expectations, policies, and standards.
Standard VI Learner-Centered Communications and Community Relations.
A superintendent is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.
Standard VII Learner-Centered Organizational Leadership and Management.
A superintendent is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by leadership and management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.
Standard VIII Learner-Centered Curriculum Planning and Development.
A superintendent is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by facilitating the design and implementation of curricula and strategic plans that enhance teaching and learning; alignment of curriculum, curriculum resources, and assessment; and the use of various forms of assessment to measure student performance.
Standard IX Learner-Centered Instructional Leadership and Management.
A superintendent is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school district culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.
Source: The provisions of this §242.15 adopted to be effective March 14, 1999, 24 TexReg 1617; amended to be effective September 2, 1999, 24 TexReg 6751; amended to be effective October 25, 2009, 34 TexReg 7202
General Requirements
In addition to meeting the Graduate School’s requirements for admission, retention, examinations, candidacy and graduation as listed elsewhere, requirements for admission to the department include: submitting an online application which includes personal information and recommendations on forms provided by the Graduate School along with Graduate Record Examination scores taken within the last five (5) years.
- Submit evidence of holding the Standard Teacher Certificate and at least two years creditable classroom teaching experience for the administrator certificate programs if seeking a principal certificate.
- Complete requirements of the Department Screening Committee as approved by the Graduate School.
- File a degree and/or certificate plan with the faculty advisor and with the Graduate School Office.
- A Comprehensive Examination is administered to all students within six (6) hours of graduation. Eligibility to take the Comprehensive Examination, designed by the Educational Administration faculty, is determined by the advisor and the Department Chair. Passing the Comprehensive Examination with a minimum score of 70 is required for graduation.
Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum Requirements | 9 | |
| Internship | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Core Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDAS 835/988 | Sch Plant Plng & Mgt | 3 |
| EDAS 834/955/953 | Adv Topics Sch Finance | 3 |
| EDAS 770/970 | The Superintendency | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Internship
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDAS 788/965/978 | Superintendent Internship | 3 |
Course substitutions may be made with the approval of the Department Chairman, the Dean of the College of Education, and Dean of the Graduate School on forms provided by the Graduate School Office.