Education

Poll Explores Views Of Women Superintendents

February 17, 2006 1 min read
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A forthcoming book by two professors who study educational leadership, C. Cryss Brunner of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Margaret Grogan of the University of Missouri- Columbia, examines the perceptions and experiences of women superintendents.

Included in the book is a survey to which about 1,300 female superintendents and other top central-office administrators responded. The book will be published by Rowman & Littlefield.

WOMEN SUPERINTENDENTS Women of Color White Women
Secured the job of superintendent within a year of searching 40% 51%
Felt that the tendency of school boards not to actively recruit women was an important or somewhat important factor in finding a job 86% 73%
Perceived a mid-management career ceiling 87% 67%
Believe they were hired to be change agents 41% 25%
Lack of professional networks was a barrier for them 84% 69%
TOP CENTRAL-OFFICE ADMINISTRATORS (including superintendents)
Women in central-office positions aspire to the superintendency 50% 37%
Saw discriminatory hiring practices as a major problem in limiting opportunity 61% 20%
Were hired by school boards that included at least one person of color 69% 23%
Felt the lack of professional networks was a barrier 91% 64%
Believed that a general lack of mentors was a problem for them 86% 69%

SOURCE: C. Cryss Brunner and Margaret Grogan
A version of this article appeared in the February 22, 2006 edition of Education Week as Poll Explores Views Of Women Superintendents

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