Analysis of the Role Identity of Direct Elected Superintendents: Focusing on Media Articles about Superintendents in K province

The purpose of this study is to analyze the changes in the role identity of directly elected superintendents and the behavioral characteristics constituting it since the implementation of direct elections in 2010. Framework for the analysis including Teacher-Scholar, Business Manager, Educational Political Leader, Social Scientist, and Communicator were established, and a qualitative document analysis was conducted. We collected media articles on the superintendents’ actions from July 1, 2010, to April 30, 2024 for analysis. A gradual sampling process was used to select 1,312 media articles on the superintendents in K province. The data were analyzed using a priori coding based on a preexisting conceptual foundation. The analysis results are as follows. First, the role identity was in the order of Business Manager, Communicator, Teacher-Scholar, Educational Political Leader, Social Scientist. Second, the changes in the role identity by year showed a strong Business Manager identity for all four terms. Third, the themes that could constitute the characteristics of each role identity included “City/Province Educational Organization and Resource Manager”, “Communicator Utilizing Various Channels”, “City/Province Education Improver and Promoter”, “Political Strategist Responding to Ideological Conflicts”, “Expert and Data Utilizer”, and “Community Connector and Contributor.” The following policy implications are suggested from the findings: redefining the superintendent’s role, clarifying the required qualifications, enhancing capabilities.