A systematic review of research on educational superintendents

This study aimed to contribute to knowledge about research on educational superintendents as decision-maker through a systematic review of research on this topic undertaken between 2000 and 2022. A literature search followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach. Of the 313 articles identified, 36 met the inclusion and quality criteria of the mixed-methods appraisal tool (MMAT) 2018. Six main areas emerged in research on superintendents’ decision-making tasks: policy implementation (n = 9), contextual issues (n = 7), general decision-making processes (n = 7), decision-making competence (n = 5), gender (n = 4), and values/ethics (n = 4). Results showed that most articles (28) were about research in the US. The review identified a lack of research about superintendents’ tasks as decision-makers, such as 1. knowledge about the significant differences between superintendents’ roles as decision-makers in urban and rural areas, 2. professional development programs for superintendents’ as decision-makers, and 3. studies about gender issues as the majority of teachers were women, while the majority of superintendents as decision-makers are men.