About the Lab

The Superintendent Lab is the central hub for data, research,

insights, and innovation on the school district superintendency.

Pillars guiding the work of the Superintendent Lab

Revealing

The Superintendent Lab aims to lift the veil on the superintendency through the development of rigorous and robust datasets. We are the home of The National Longitudinal Superintendent Database–a comprehensive database, updated on an annual basis, of over 12,500 superintendents across the United States, allowing us to explore issues related to superintendent labor markets over time and space.

We seek out collaborative partnerships with researchers and affiliates that are interested in data-driven dialogue to advance policies and practices that contribute to more equitable public school systems.

Humanizing

Behind all of the data that we collect and analyze are human beings. We aim to conduct research that is authentic and respectful of superintendents and the work they do. We embrace the power of big data and case studies—numbers as well as narratives.

While incorporating innovative technologies like artificial intelligence and web scraping, we recognize the importance of human interactions and strive to engage with the data with attentiveness to the personal and professional lives behind each data point.

Training

The Superintendent Lab strives to provide students at all levels with meaningful and rigorous research experiences through the development and improvement of big datasets and opportunities to collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data.

We aim to foster collaborative dialogue among policy- and leadership-passionate undergraduate and graduate students and researchers to identify levers for change to create more inclusive, equitable public K-12 education systems.

Meet the team

Dr. Rachel S. White

Founder & Lead Researcher

Dr. White is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership & Policy at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research centers around issues of power, voice, diversity, and politics in education policy making spaces.

She primarily employs mixed methodological approaches to provide a more comprehensive understanding of (1) superintendent labor markets, (2) superintendents’ perceptions and enactment of their role as policy and political leaders, and (3) district-level levers of influence to advance equitable educational opportunity through district policy and nimble navigation of politically contentious topics and contexts.

Dr. White is a former local school board member/vice president and assistant high school cross country and track & field coach. She also previously served as a policy analyst for the Michigan Association for School Administrators and as the Associate Director of Policy and Advocacy for The Ohio College Access Network.

In her free time, Dr. White enjoys hiking, playing basketball, hot yoga, running, traveling, reading, and following her favorite college sports teams.

Read more about Dr. White’s research, as well as her public outreach and speaking/workshop engagements here.

rachel.white

@austin.utexas.edu

LinkedIn Profile

UT Austin Faculty Page

Research Team

Karylle Pernito

Research Associate

Karylle is pursuing her Master’s degree at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Policy at the University of Texas at Austin. In undergrad, she double-majored in Human Development & Family Sciences and Sociology, with a certificate in Children & Public Policy. She is the co-president of TXHDFS and a volunteer coordinator for SEAL UT. Passionate about education equity, Karylle has worked with Breakthrough Central Texas as a Research & Policy Intern and Advocacy Fellow. In her free time, she enjoys reading and trying various crafts to varying degrees of success.

Fizza Naqvi

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Fizza Naqvi is an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Public Affairs with a minor in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE). Outside of research, Fizza is involved with Texas Political Consulting, where she enjoys collaborating with peers interested in public service and civic engagement, Texas Angels, and previously interned with the 240th District Court in Fort Bend County. Her research interests include education policy, municipal finance and capital markets, and understanding how public policy shapes long-term social and economic outcomes. In her free time, she enjoys playing pickleball, discovering new matcha spots, traveling, and going to concerts.

Mia McCormick

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Mia is a third-year student at the University of Texas at Austin, double majoring in Behavioral & Social Data Science and Corporate Communication. Through past work involving research, strategy, and communication, she became interested in how information gets turned into decisions and how data can help explain the people and organizations behind them. She is interested in pursuing a career at the intersection of data, research, and strategy. Outside of school, Mia enjoys traveling, going to concerts, finding new restaurants and places to explore, and spending time with friends.