Illinois State Superintendent's Survey 2004: Analysis and Findings

In 2004, Illinois State University sent a survey out to every school district superintendent in the state with the intent of capturing their perspectives on a variety of timely issues. The respondents to the survey totaled 435 of a possible 889, leaving a 48.9% return rate. A similar process was followed in 2002. The content of those surveys addressed the same major topics, although the questions varied. Accordingly, this series of surveys is not intended to develop a longitudinal data base, but rather a "snapshot" of perspectives of Illinois superintendents during a specific period of time. The 2004 survey included four parts: Part I consisted of questions related to demographic information; Part II asked questions related to current state issues; Part III asked questions pertaining to evaluation of superintendents and principals; and, Part IV solicited information regarding state and local finance. The remainder of this paper summarizes the responses of superintendents within each of these four parts. (Contains 22 tables and 1 chart.)