LM Nov-Dec_2021

What is SIG 97 and How Can It Support Superintendents? Nathan S. Schilling, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools, Lansing School District 158 Continuing Adjunct Professor of Educational Leadership, Concordia University Chicago Research on the Superintendency Program Chair-Elect, American Educational Research Association

As the instructional leaders of your school districts, superintendents are often sought by any number of stakeholders for analysis and insights on important issues in education. For example, I recently had the opportunity to lead a discussion with my administrative team at Lansing School District 158 about principal longevity compared to assistant principal turnover. I felt confident and informed to lead this activity because of a few academic periodicals I receive through my membership with the American Educational Research Association (AERA).

public education to higher education— is often underdeveloped and this is especially true with the superintendency. SIG 97 is a community of researchers and practitioners interested in developing knowledge about the superintendent. Interests of the group encompass an array of policy, practice, and research issues related to long-term school reform. The current Executive Committee of SIG 97 consists of four full-time professors— including two former superintendents— and myself (Co-Program Chair). We would like to grow the membership of

This is a crucial time for the superintendency— one that may impact the landscape of school districts for years to come

the SIG and, in doing so, connect more superintendents to the academic side of our profession. Having a sitting superintendent as an officer is a good start but the more we can communicate, share and further research to support our work in the field, the better. SeekingFeedback SIG 97 is also working with national and state superintendent organizations, such as IASA, to elicit feedback on what research would be most beneficial to you, especially during the historic and challenging times of this pandemic. With more superintendents retiring, leaving the profession, and/or considering different professional opportunities over the past few years, it is critical to identify and address today’s climate of the profession. Be on the lookout for more communication about this research in the near future. To close, this is a crucial time for the superintendency— one that may impact the landscape of school districts for years to come—and it is our hope that these initiatives can complement and build upon the meaningful supports already provided by IASA.

AERA is a national professional organization focused on supporting the advancement of knowledge, research and practice in the educational field. Every few months, AERA members receive current, peer-reviewed academic periodicals like Educational Researcher and the American Educational Research Journal. This association, founded in 1906, has more than 25,000 members and is comprised of 12 divisions and 168 Special Interest Groups (SIG’s) as of the 2021–2022 academic year. Of these, two are especially applicable to the work of school district superintendents: • Division A: Administration, Organization, & Leadership. • SIG 97: Research on the Superintendency. Personally, I have been a member of AERA Division A and SIG 97 since 2019 when the research of my dissertation— “Illinois Superintendent Leadership of Nontraditional Teacher Pay: A Qualitative Inquiry”—was selected for a presentation at their annual conference. Why JoinAERA? I have truly found my membership with AERA Division A and SIG 97 to be beneficial to my work as a superintendent. Division A shares opportunities to network and communicate the work of my own school district with a broad audience that includes academics, practitioners, scientists and agencies. The alignment of research and practice—and, in particular,

IASA members are welcome to contact Dr. Schilling at nschilling@d158.net or 708–474–6700 for more information about AERA and SIG 97.

15 LM Nov./Dec. 2021