A decade ago, 56 percent of four-year colleges attributed "considerable importance" to test scores like the SAT and ACT, and about half gave the same credence to total high school grades. Today, just 5 percent of four-year colleges place such importance on test scores, but three-quarters place considerable importance on grades.

Superintendent Peter Hannigan's series of video interviews with students and other activities was "renewed" for a second season after a five-episode run last school year. "Being visible as a superintendent is one of my top priorities," says the Chicago-area district leader.

Several school boards are filling a seemingly continuous string of vacancies with first-time superintendents. Many of the new leaders, moreover, are female.

An effective way to prevent disruptions is for superintendents and school boards to strike "social contracts" that cover everyone's commitments, how conflicts will be resolved and how the superintendent and members expect to be treated, among other issues.