Challenge

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a national membership organization providing support for state superintendents who lead U.S. state public education systems. These public servants faced mounting challenges, including massive budget constraints, the ongoing impact of COVID-19, debates over DEI and Critical Race Theory, and balancing the needs of diverse stakeholders. Additionally, they had to determine how best to allocate a significant influx of federal funding while managing public expectations, budget constraints, and maintaining stability within their districts. 

Interventions

To address these challenges, CLA designed a six-month adaptive leadership program for 50 superintendents. This program included: 

• Four one-hour sessions focused on essential adaptive leadership practices, such as holding steady, navigating crises, and managing competing stakeholder expectations. 

• One full-day facilitation that employed case-in-point teaching to help participants apply adaptive leadership principles to their immediate challenges. 

• Case consultation sessions to provide individualized support on navigating unique adaptive challenges in their districts. 

• Incremental content deployment that built upon each session, addressing the dual challenge of COVID-19 recovery and strategic use of federal funding. 

Impact

Superintendents effectively navigated budget crises by strategically allocating federal funds to address immediate needs and long-term goals. They maintained their authority and credibility despite heightened public scrutiny and ongoing challenges. Equipped with adaptive leadership practices, they engaged in effective self-care and demonstrated resilience by balancing the expectations of multiple stakeholders all while implementing adaptive solutions to support their districts through complex crises.