Secondary cooling control is an important factor in the continuous steel casting process. This paper reviews popular control models and analyzes their principles and characteristics. On the basis of the review, this paper pro poses a new concept called ‘‘effective-superheat’’ and a new control model called ‘‘synthetical model dynamic control method based on online temperature measurement.’’ The model, which combines the advantages of the popular models reviewed, not only allows steady, accurate and dynamic control of slab surface temperature, but also provides the temperature profile and the end of the liquid pool. In addition, this paper also discusses the current problems with secondary cooling control and the related development trends, which may be helpful for further development of secondary cooling control technology and informationization of the continuous casting process.