Starting Over Career
August 01, 2026
STATE OF THE SUPERINTENDENCY
The vast majority of 1,095 superintendents responding to AASA’s
mid-decade survey on the state of the profession indicated they would choose to
serve as superintendents again if they had the chance to begin their careers
anew.
A similar question on AASA’s 2000 survey found 66 percent of 2,200 respondents saying they would want to be superintendents again in a new life. Those running school districts of 25,000 or more students had the highest positive response.
In the latest survey’s open-ended responses, many superintendents pointed to positive changes in instruction, culture and facilities, though a substantial proportion said they found fulfillment in the growth of others, primarily their students but also teachers and administrators.
Sources: “The 2025 American Superintendent Study: Mid-Decade Update” edited by Christopher Tienken and the “2000 Study of the American School Superintendency,” AASA
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