Date of Award
Spring 5-1-2009
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Educational Leadership
First Advisor
Robert Boyd
Second Advisor
Joyce Fulford
Third Advisor
Steve Gruenert
Abstract
There were three primary purposes of this study. First, the study sought to increase the knowledge base of motivations that females hold for assuming the school superintendency while simultaneously comparing and contrasting results with male counterparts. Second, the study analyzed the degree to which motivations for assuming the superintendency were realized once the female assumes the position. The third purpose of the study was to analyze the degree to which female superintendents have profited from a role model, or mentor, to help them find their way through the unexpected anxieties while assuming the profession. 111 Of the 222 respondents, 32 (14%) were women and 190 (86%) were men. There are currently 47 women (16%) serving as superintendents in the state oflndiana. The analysis of data included descriptive statistics, the use of independent group t-tests and the Chi-Square Tests of Contingency to determine ifthere were significant findings between male and female respondents. There were significant gender differences found in motivations for becoming a superintendent. Men replied at a statistically higher rate that it was important for them to achieve a better salary. Women responded at a statistically higher rate that they placed greater importance on displaying leadership abilities, impacting student achievement, serving as an agent of change, and becoming an instructional leader. When studying the degree to which motivations have been realized, women were more likely than men to report that they served as instructional leaders who had a positive impact on student achievement. Finally, the analysis of motivations for exiting the superintendency resulted in significantly higher ratings in the area of conflicts of vision with school board for women than for men.
Recommended Citation
Hammack, Laura Allport, "An Analysis of the Female Experience in the School Superintendency: Understanding
Female Motivations for Assuming and Exiting the Superintendency with
Relevant Applications for Mentoring Programs" (2009). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3385.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/3385
Included in
Educational Leadership Commons, Education Policy Commons, Higher Education Administration Commons, Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons, Public Administration Commons, Women's Studies Commons