Next Generation Effectiveness Standards for Kentucky School Superintendents
Kentucky superintendent evaluation framework, developed by KASA, guides reflective leadership and district improvement across seven domains aligned with PSEL. Developed by the Kentucky Association of School Administrators in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education, this framework is the foundation for Kentucky’s Superintendent Professional Growth and Effectiveness System — the state’s formal structure for superintendent evaluation and professional development.
The framework is organized across seven interconnected leadership domains:
A four-point competency-based scale provides performance levels aligned with the state's effectiveness system, allowing evaluators to differentiate meaningfully between levels of superintendent practice. Each domain includes indicators, evidence sources, and descriptors to guide both self-assessment and evaluator ratings.
The framework is grounded in national and state leadership standards including ISLLC/PSEL, AdvancED, and the Wallace Foundation's research on effective district leadership. By aligning with these frameworks, it ensures that Kentucky superintendents are evaluated on leadership practices with a strong evidence base for improving teaching, learning, and organizational performance.
KASA designed this framework with a dual purpose: accountability and growth. The instrument is intended not only to assess current performance but to serve as a professional development tool that helps superintendents identify areas for growth, build leadership capacity, and connect their daily work to the strategic priorities of their districts. The emphasis on reflective practice throughout the framework signals that Kentucky expects superintendents to be active participants in their own evaluation — not passive recipients of a board's judgment. The result is an evaluation system that supports the kind of continuous improvement that benefits leaders, organizations, and ultimately students.
KASA provides Kentucky districts with implementation guidance and professional development support to help boards and superintendents use the framework effectively. For Kentucky school boards seeking a state-aligned, research-grounded evaluation framework that serves both accountability and professional growth, this KASA instrument provides a comprehensive and professionally credible foundation.
This rubric is applicable for the following roles: Superintendent