MAJOR ISSUES AND PROBLEMS FACING PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS WERE DEFINED THROUGH AN ANALYSIS OF CONFERENCES AND PERSONAL INTERVIEWS WITH 47 ADMINISTRATORS OF VARIOUS-SIZED DISTRICTS IN 22 STATES. ASSISTING THE RESEARCH TEAM WERE PERSONNEL FROM 11 STATE DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION, SIX REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORIES, 36 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, AND THE USOE. FINDINGS OF THE STUDY INDICATE THAT PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS ARE APPREHENSIVE AND CONCERNED. MANY FEEL THEIR TRAINING WAS INADEQUATE FOR THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THEY NOW WORK AND QUESTION THE VALUE OF THE FEW IN-SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO THEM. THEY FIND IT DIFFICULT TO DEFINE PROPER ACTIONS FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO EDUCATIONAL CHANGE, TEACHER MILITANCY, ASPECTS OF INSTRUCTION, ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP, CRITICAL SOCIAL ISSUES, AND EDUCATIONAL FINANCE. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE RELATIVE TO THE SERVICES WHICH SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO SUPERINTENDENTS BY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, STATE DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION, REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORIES, ADMINISTRATORS ASSOCIATIONS, THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL FOR EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION, AND THE USOE. (JK)