Ethics in the superintendency: the actions of malfeasance by a few superintendents undermine the credibility of honest, hard-working educators

School Administrator, Sept, 2004 by Priscilla Pardini

Those entering without much experience in key decision-making roles are "more likely to fall into the trap of what appears to be an innocent proposal without considering the underlying ethical issues," Oliver says. "You're more inclined to go with the first decision that comes to mind ... [and] less likely to look at the consequences of unethical behavior."

Murphy, considered one of the premier scholars in educational administration, cites inadequate ethics training for school administrators as part of the problem. He says both college-level and staff development programs traditionally have focused on topics deemed more "objective" or research-based. "Issues related to values or morals didn't even get on stage," says Murphy. As a result, "you have a profession that didn't pay much attention to values ... and what people began to do basically showed that."

Legislating Ethics

Murphy credits Beck's research with generating a significant increase in attention to the importance of ethics in educational leadership training programs. "The social justice rubric has become one of [its] central pillars," he says.

But can ethics actually be taught? Although Oliver concedes that individuals cannot be forced to embrace a particular value system, he says they can be made aware of ethics concepts and learn how to make decisions aligned with those concepts.

In his educational administration classes, Michael Arnold, an associate professor at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo., focuses on the ethical side of school leadership by using case studies or researching the work of historical figures considered to be ethical. "We use problem-based learning activities and analysis," he says. "Students hear me ask that all the time. 'Why did you make that decision? Whom did it impact? Is what you did moral, legal, ethical and good for kids?'"

As president of the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration, Arnold was instrumental in choosing ethical decision making as one of three major themes highlighted at the organization's national conference in August in Branson, Mo.

The Association of California School Administrators addressed the ethics issue at a seminar in January. Titled "Leading With Credibility: The Role of Ethics and Integrity in the Superintendency," the program drew about 40 superintendents willing to discuss ethical challenges and how to deal best with them.

Laraine Roberts, senior research associate at WestEd, which helped to run the seminar, says the idea to focus on ethics grew out of the superintendents' concerns over unethical behavior in the corporate sector. Participants studied the literature on ethics with an eye on ensuring their own ethical behavior and helping others in their districts act appropriately. They discussed at length an ethical dilemma faced by a superintendent in the state. The conversations focused on "how to translate personal values into leadership action," Roberts says.

One participant, Rich Fischer, superintendent of the Mountain View-Los Altos High School District in Mountain View, Calif., describes the seminar as a "very powerful" experience. "When you hear respected colleagues talk about their own ethical challenges, you realize you need to pay attention to your own and to make sure you're always doing things from a kids-first, ethical perspective."