Book Description
The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine the contributing factors impacting a female administrator's decision regarding whether to obtain a superintendent certificate and whether to become a superintendent. The problem addressed is the need to have a more representative group of superintendents, which would include a higher percentage of female superintendents. Through questionnaires and in-depth interviews, the researcher determined the contributing factors of why female leaders do not aspire to the superintendency. All female building principals and central office leaders in the 22 school districts of one suburban metropolitan county were invited to participate in the questionnaire and the sample size of participants was 40 women. Research questions included: (a) What factors influence women's decisions to obtain a superintendent certificate if they have already achieved a doctorate in an educational leadership related field?; (b) What factors influence women's decisions to not obtain a superintendent certificate if they have already achieved a doctorate in an educational leadership related field?; (c) What specific factors deter women from pursuing the superintendency if they have obtained a superintendent certificate?; (d) What specific factors persuade women to pursue the superintendency if they have pursued, or are currently pursuing the superintendency? Findings from this study revealed "politics" as a deterrent to the superintendency. Women also felt that work-life balance is impossible to obtain in a superintendent role, and they place a high value on balance. Women early and late in their administrative careers cited "timing" as a reason they have not pursued the superintendency yet. Women who planned to be superintendents shared a belief in themselves. Many of the women had also been told by other people that they should consider the superintendency, which gave them self-confidence.
