Leadership Succession for Tomorrow's Schools

The purpose of the study was to elicit perspectives from teachers and educational leaders concerning leadership succession and the motivations/readiness of professionals to assume leadership roles in schools. The study involved electronic surveys and focus group involving teachers, in-school administrators, superintendents, directors and board chairs. In total, 838 educators participated. Implications of the perceptions of these educators for succession strategy are explored, and an argument made for a systematic plan for leadership succession in schools.