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This quantitative study examined whether Illinois public school superintendents perceived their superintendent preparation programs adequately prepared them for the superintendency. More specifically, the study examined superintendents perceptions about the relevance of educational leadership standards (e.g., ISLLC and ELCC standards and Waters & Marzano leadership responsibilities and practices) and if these standards and practices were embedded in the respondents university-based leadership preparation programs and the importance of leadership standards to the position. An online questionnaire was administered to Illinois public school superintendents who held their appointments during the 2009-2010 school year. A total of 314 of the 869 Illinois superintendents responded to the questionnaire, for a 36.1% response rate. The findings revealed that over three-fourths (78%) of superintendents were satisfied with the training they received from their preparation programs. Respondents also indicated that their preparation programs, on average, provided a moderate degree of preparation with regard to leadership standards.

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Art Fessler is a school district superintendent from the northwest suburbs of Chicago. His area of research interest is superintendent instructional leadership with a specific interest in the Leadership for Learning framework. He acquired a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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