Field Transformation

ISCL supports aligned organizations and institutions pursuing innovative approaches to superintendent leadership and development.

A wide angle view of a room at a conference.

Developing a nationwide community of practice

Beyond tools and training, ISCL serves as a catalyst for a more coherent and connected field of civic leadership in public education.

Our steering committee brings together national and regional organizations, funders, scholars, and leading superintendents to coordinate efforts, share lessons learned, and shape the next generation of preparation and support.

A cohort of Senior Fellows—distinguished former superintendents with diverse backgrounds and track records of civic leadership—strengthens this work by bringing wisdom, credibility, and continuity to the table. Each Senior Fellow will select an aspect of the superintendency for deep-dive treatment over their 18-month tenure, engaging graduate students and faculty and producing new knowledge and insights for the field; their presence will elevate these issues on campus and create mentoring and networking opportunities for HGSE students.

We are proud to announce Dr. Russell Booker as ISCL and EdRedesign's first Joint Senior Fellow.

Introducing the Catalyst Fund

As a field connector, ISCL is dedicated to moving from a paradigm of superintendent as organizational or instructional leader to a paradigm of superintendent as trusted civic leader.

The Catalyst Fund is a flexible pool of resources designed to accelerate all aspects of this initiative. For example, the funds can be used to accelerate executive program development and increase participation through scholarships. It can be used to support research-based tool development. It can also be used to sponsor special events designed to catalyze field building.

If you want to donate to the fund, contact Mary Kate Oliver at marykate_oliver@gse.harvard.edu.

Awards

Awards will range from $15,000–$200,000 and typically run for 6 months to a year. Applications for use of the fund will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Eligible applicants include university-based superintendent preparation programs/education leadership programs with a focus on the superintendency; professional associations and state or regional leadership networks; nonprofits and intermediaries supporting superintendent development; state departments, school districts, or consortia who seek to create a tangible output that can be adopted/adapted by others.

The Catalyst Fund will invite proposals to advance one or more of the following field-building contributions:

Redesigning superintendent preparation and/or support: Developing, embedding, or integrating the civic leadership paradigm into frameworks and tools for superintendent preparation and professional development, including within higher education institutions or technical-assistance providers.
Teaching tools: Developing practice-based teaching resources such as cases, simulations, protocols, or playbooks grounded in leadership dilemmas that engage superintendents in developing their civic and political leadership capacities, knowledge, and identities.
Coalition and infrastructure building: Cross-organizational partnerships, convenings, or shared platforms that highlight and build community for superintendents as civic leaders.
Research and public narrative: Applied research, storytelling, or communications that strengthen public understanding of the superintendent as a civic leader and bolster the public understanding of and support for public education as social and civic infrastructure.
Expanding access and participation: Matching funds or scholarships that broaden participation in high-quality learning opportunities aligned with the Initiative.

The application will open soon.