This book presents a picture of the high-pressure area in which the school superintendent works. Its purpose is to forewarn veteran and neophyte administrators concerning a number of problems which they may not have met. Most of these challenges are new, even to experienced superintendents, since they are products of the rapidly changing national scene. The topics discussed include (1) a description of the superintendency, (2) the preparation necessary for successful superintendents, (3) the roles of the superintendent in the school system, (4) the pressures on the superintendent, (5) the relationship between the superintendent and the local government, (6) the state and federal impact on the school administrator, (7) conservatism in American education, (8) the time problem facing the superintendent, and (9) the superintendent's job insecurity. (HW)