THE ROLE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT IN REDEFINING SCHOOLS
FOR STUDENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE 21ST CENTURY
The divide that separates traditional methods of teaching and learning from how students
learn new knowledge and skills for the 21st century has plagued the United States education
system for the past decade. Expanded education goals have led to a more comprehensive
definition of student success, which presents significant challenges for leaders regarding how to
implement 21st century teaching and learning in their school districts. The challenge for
superintendents in the current educational climate is how to transform school districts from a
traditional framework of education to a 21st century paradigm for learning. Despite the
challenges, many superintendents have made, or are in the process of making, the shift from a
traditional learning paradigm to a 21st century learning model.
The changing landscape of education to 21st century learning provided an opportunity to
complete a study on the actions superintendents take to implement 21st century learning in their
school districts. This study utilized a qualitative research design that included interviews to
examine how thirteen superintendents in public school districts across the nation made a shift in
their districts from the traditional model of education to 21st century learning. The results were
analyzed for themes regarding similarities and differences in superintendents’ actions to
incorporate 21st century teaching and learning in their districts on a system-wide scale. Findings
of the research in this study support that school district superintendents take similar specific
actions to transform their school districts to 21st century learning environments.
Recommendations resulting from this study focus on creating a shared vision for 21st
century learning.
Key Words: 21st century learning; superintendent’s actions; systemic school reform; 21st
century vision, 21st century leadership