Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

8-1997

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Major

Educational Administration

Major Professor

George W. Harris Jr.

Committee Members

Charles Chance, Graby Bogue, Joy DeSensi, Kathleen DeMarrais

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the leadership experiences that female principals have concerning their career in education administration and to identify certain variables that females principals perceive as barriers. The study attempts to answer the following questions: What are the experiences of females in their pursuit to the principalship? What are the perceived obstacles/barmers female principals face when entering administrative positions? Are mentoring programs helpful to those aspiring to become successful principals? What role, Fany, have mentors played in the experiences of these female principals? What are the perceived leadership challenges female principals face? What leadership qualities do Sumale principals perceive important? The study will also be useful in recruiting mone females to administrative positions and providing information for possible professional development of females who have already attained leadership positions.

Fourteen female principals from elementary, middle and high schools representing 5 selected counties and school systems in East Tennessee served as the data source for this study. These Principals participated in a taped interview session which was scheduled at their work site

An interview approach utilizing semi-structured interviews as the main source of data was chosen for this study. The following predetermined categories, which were based upon the research questions, guided the analysis career paths, leadership style, perceived barriers, leadership challenges and the role of mentors. Data gathered from the interview responses were coded according to those categories.

Patterns and themes were identified from the categories.

The Principais completed a demographic survey which provided data about the background of the participant. These questions included information on educational profiles, ethnicity, total years in the principalship as well as information on the school. The open-ended questions provided data on each Principals lived experiences and perceptions from their current principalship.

This data was collected through taped interview sessions that were scheduled with each participant. The interview sessions lasted approximately 45 minutes. The data collected from the demographic section of the interview Instrument were compiled in tabular form. Data collected from the open-ended section of the interview instrument were analyzed for patterns. An exact test which is available with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) could be used to conduct comparisons of the small representation of ethnic groups in the data.

The Principals in the study, although they represented varying levels of education (elementary, middle an high school levels), had leadership experiences that were very similar. They had a common starting ground for their educational experience. Their careers commenced in the classroom. The common goal of trying to make things better for students was another common theme shared by these female professionals Other common patiems were noted and discussed.

The study concluded that female Principals do perceive challenges in leadership but in doing so have overcome the stereotypical boundaries thal have disillusioned a lot of women from attaining the role of principal.

These females have grown from their experiences by making personal strides forward, breaking glass ceilings and dumping the "stereotypical baggage of the past. They possess a high level of energy and enthusiasm for getting the job done.

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