This study explores the career journey of female superintendents in Indiana andthe educational contexts in which they serve (rural, town, suburban, and urban). Feministtheory and the connection between social and liberal feminist ideas and the difficultieswomen face as they manipulate personal, social, and political events on their road to thesuperintendency are illustrated. The mixed-method approach serves as the researchmethodology. The quantitative data establishes the core statistical background for thestudy and the reported discrepancy between the numbers of male superintendents ascompared to females. Qualitative data provides a picture of the discrepancy and insightinto the possible causes for the disparity. Female superintendents experience personal,social, and professional circumstances in terms of their home environment, their lifetimeeducational environment, and their professional career that are influenced by theirgender. The inconsistency between the two sets of data is examined and emerges as amain theme of the research. Implications for further study involve the impact onstudents, the development of better support systems, the increase in qualitative researchon the topic, and the steps involved in the interview process, selection and appointment of female superintendents to particular educational contexts.
展开▼
