The Underrepresentation of African American Female Public School Superintendents PDF Download

Author: Joylynn LaGrace Pruitt
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : African American women
Languages : en
Pages : 46

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Book Description
Abstract Women, particularly African American women, have been underrepresented in educational administrative leadership at the level of public school district superintendent. Because so few women currently hold the position of public school district superintendent, studies on the characteristics of individuals who become public school district superintendents have almost exclusively been focused on men; therefore the role of school district superintendent has continued to elude very qualified women particularly African American women and other women of color who seek the position of superintendent. This study addressed the perceptions, barriers, and challenges which impede the advancement of African American females who aspire to the position of public school district superintendency. This study was limited to a sample size of six African American female superintendents. A narrative inquiry methodology utilized the semi-standardized interview which identified reoccurring themes. Reflections of successful African American female superintendents are revealed to encourage more African American female aspirants to seek the public school superintendency and thereby shattering the glass ceiling impacted by race and gender. The study provided implications for African American females who aspire to the superintendency, relative to preparation, practice, and policy.

Author: Shelly Geneen Goines-Harris
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : African American women educators
Languages : en
Pages : 280

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Book Description
This research study was designed to add to the existing but limited literature that explores perceived barriers and challenges African-American women superintendents experienced while ascending and serving in the superintendency. According to the literature, African-American women are underrepresented in the role of public school superintendents. This study examined the impact of gender and racial discrimination on African-American women superintendent aspirants and those currently serving in the role. This study surveyed and interviewed African-American women superintendents serving in public school districts in North Carolina and South Carolina, examining their perceptions of barriers and challenges experienced while ascending and serving in the superintendency. Race and gender were the two identified themes found in the analysis of survey and interview data. This study determined that race and gender have an impact on African-American women public school superintendents while ascending and serving in the role. All subthemes supported racial and gender biases. Choice of dress, working in a male-dominated field, isolation and exclusion from “good old boy networks,” dispelling the belief that African-American women do not make good administrators, and the lack of acceptance by male and non-African-American administrators and staff were all subthemes of the impact of race and gender. The findings of this study will serve to better prepare African-American women who aspire to and serve in the superintendency when faced with barriers and challenges rooted in racial and gender biases. The findings can be used to better inform school boards, hiring personnel, educational leadership programs, and public school districts of the barriers and challenges African-American women public school superintendents experience and how race and gender impact them in the role of superintendent.

Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : African American school superintendents
Languages : en
Pages : 259

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Book Description
While women comprise the majority of those employed in K-12 school districts, educational administrators who are women, especially African American women, are underrepresented in the superintendency position. Broadly, the position of superintendent is one of the most gender stratified occupations in K-12 school systems, and African American women who seek career advancement in these systems face challenges that are unique when compared to African American men and White men and women. In particular, African American women face social stigmas related to the challenges of sexism, racism, and classism in career advancement. The reality of intersectionality further complicates these barriers and can be experiential deterrents that impact African American women during their advancement to the position of K-12 public school superintendent. This study explored the lived experiences of seven African American women who have ascended to the position of K-12 public school superintendent. Findings obtained through this qualitative research revealed five themes: (1) spirituality, (2) dual bias status, (3) supportive relationships, (4) preparation, and (5) self-care. In sum, insights gained through these themes fills a gap in the literature by offering greater understanding on how to mitigate the underrepresentation of African American women in this position.

Author: Tracy M. Hinds
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : African American feminists
Languages : en
Pages : 188

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Book Description
African-American women leading school districts as public school superintendents of schools is rare. It is even more infrequent for multiple African-American women to serve in the position of superintendent of schools in the same state. This historical qualitative study investigated and documented the history of African-American women who served in the position of public superintendent of schools in the state of Missouri. Research on the topic of African-American female superintendents is scarce. This study contributed to the growing body of research focused on the personal stories and experiences of African-American women who served and continue to serve as superintendents. The researcher documented factors and experiences the participants perceived as influential in their ascent to the position. Seven African-American females, either former or current superintendents in the state of Missouri, participated in this study. Personal interviews, along with a semi-structured interview schedule, served as the primary data collection method used to capture data for this study. A Black feminist thought lens was used to examine barriers and experiences of oppression. Findings from this research identified the participants’ various paths to the superintendency, suggested that barriers of race, gender and oppression existed, highlighted perceived accomplishments, provided explanations for why multiple African-American females have served as public school superintendents in the state of Missouri, and proposed recommendations for aspiring African-American females interested in becoming a superintendent.

Author: Gaynell Edmonds Taylor
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : African American women school superintendents
Languages : en
Pages : 92

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Book Description
The literature in this study indicated that African American females in executive level positions are missing from the literature, and they are underrepresented in executive level positions in education. The focus of this qualitative study was to identify reasons why African American females are underrepresented in executive level positions in education. This study also explored strategies for combating the underrepresentation of African American females in executive level positions in education. The significance of the study is that it will contribute to the limited knowledge about African American females in educational leadership. The study will also examine and explore how the 10 African American women in this qualitative study persevered through the barriers and challenges, and became superintendents and assistant superintendents. The data was collected using face to face interviews and telephone interviews, The data was analyzed using Nvivo, a qualitative software package Key findings in the study were that African American female executive school leaders believed that building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders were valuable and important to the superintendents and the assistant superintendents in this study, African American female executive school leaders believe vi that racism, sexism, and being marginalized exists for African American females aspiring to executive level positions in education, and mentoring was a barrier and an opportunity to aspiring African American females in this study. This study concluded that the barriers did not prevent the African American females in this study from navigating the path and reaching executive level positions such as superintendent and assistant superintendent. It was also concluded that African American females used networking to support their career advancement as they navigated the path to executive level positions in education such as the superintendent and the assistant superintendent.

Author: Tonya Michelle Bailey-Walker
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : African American women school superintendents
Languages : en
Pages : 306

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Book Description
The underrepresentation of the African American female superintendent is disappointing and calls into question the reasoning behind such despairing amounts. In order to address that issue, one must examine the history of the African American female superintendent, recognize the barriers that she faces, and inquire about her lived experiences. The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of African American female superintendents. The research answers the question of what are the lived experiences of African American female superintendents in the state of Ohio with an emphasis on their career paths, barriers, perspectives and successes. Black Feminist Theory and Critical Race Theory represent the theoretical frameworks for the research. The qualitative approach to this research was a phenomenological case study. Data for this case study were collected from four current African American superintendents in the state of Ohio. The participant presented a variety of reasons why she felt there are so few African American female superintendents in the state Ohio. The lived experiences of the participants in this study expounded the strategies necessary for overcoming barriers, facing challenges, or striving for success.

Author: Elnora M. Rowan
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : African American women school superintendents
Languages : en
Pages : 466

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Book Description
This study investigated from a Black feminist standpoint, through qualitative inquiry, the race and gender related barriers reported by African American women as they attempt to access the superintendency. Following in the footsteps of their sisters, African American women superintendents are defying the odds and overcoming a long history that began in slavery (Jackson, 1999). Because of the small number of Black female school superintendents, the move from the "outsider within" status to beyond the glass ceilings and then up the "crystal stairs" is an almost impossible one. Such a move requires that Black women be treated as a group unto itself and that Black women be viewed as a group unto itself through a Black feminist lens (Alston, 1999). Black women superintendents bring to educational leadership a strong commitment to and high expectation for improved student outcomes (Venable, 1995, cited in Brunner, 1999, p. 87), and their collective and individual voices are significant (Alston, 1999). This study used semi-structured interviews to gather information from African American female public school superintendents related to the following primary research questions: (1) What impact do African American female superintendents perceive sexism had on them as they accessed the superintendency? (2) To what extent do African American female superintendents report utilizing the strategy of "shifting" as a psychological tool in their quest for the superintendency? (3) To what extent do African American female superintendents report that institutional racism has hindered them as they accessed the superintendency? (4) How do African American female superintendents report that they have been impacted by societal norms regarding the unsuitability of women for powerful administrative positions such as the superintendency? (5) What kinds of positions did the African American female superintendents hold prior to becoming superintendents? (6) How do African American female superintendents perceive the problems which arise from assumptions made about their professional competence and personal capabilities, based on dominant culture stereotypes about African American females? (7) To what extent do African American female superintendents attribute their professional accomplishments to the successful adoption of the White male model of success? The interviews were audio-taped and later transcribed. Responses for each interview question were compiled and coded to identify common themes. The major findings were reported for each research question, conclusions were drawn and appropriate recommendations for research and educational practice were derived. The four major conclusions were: (1) Many African American superintendents experienced gender bias as they attempted to access the superintendency. (2) African American females utilized the strategy of "shifting" as they attempted to access the superintendency. (3) African American females experienced institutional racism as they attempted to access the superintendency. (4) White male mentors are instrumental in helping African American females access the superintendency.

Author: Anita R. Brown
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : African American women school superintendents
Languages : en
Pages : 177

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Book Description
"The purpose of this qualitative study is to enlighten, illuminate, and elucidate readers as to the worldviews of African American women in regards to their recruitment and retention to the public school superintendency. The question this study seeks to answer is whether African American women perceive recruitment and retention to the public school superintendency as intimately connected to gender, race, and social politics. Finally, this qualitative narrative study will explore from their perspectives what can be done to increase the recruitment and retention of African American women to the public school superintendency. In the following text, I discuss my conceptual framework which integrates historical and educational research literature with strands of Black feminist theory to consider key historical, cultural, and political factors that influence (and hinder) the recruitment and retention of African American superintendents, including the influences to the U.S. Civil Rights, the Black Feminist Movement, and the social politics of school districts."--Abstract from author supplied metadata.

Author: JOURNAL OF SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
Publisher: R&L Education
ISBN: 1475812027
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 130

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Book Description
The Journal of School Leadership is broadening the conversation about schools and leadership and is currently accepting manuscripts. We welcome manuscripts based on cutting-edge research from a wide variety of theoretical perspectives and methodological orientations. The editorial team is particularly interested in working with international authors, authors from traditionally marginalized populations, and in work that is relevant to practitioners around the world. Growing numbers of educators and professors look to the six bimonthly issues to: deal with problems directly related to contemporary school leadership practice teach courses on school leadership and policy use as a quality reference in writing articles about school leadership and improvement.

Author: Andreia Foster
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : African American school superintendents
Languages : en
Pages : 444

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Book Description
The twofold purpose of the study was to (1) identify selected personal and professional characteristics of sitting African American female superintendents in the five Gulf Coast states, and (2) identify perceptions held by sitting African American female superintendents in the five Gulf Coast states related to the importance of selected factors as either contributors or barriers in attainment of the public school superintendent position. Findings related to the personal characteristics of the Gulf Coast African American female superintendents were consistent with data collected in other studies of African American female superintendents with one exception. The majority of the female superintendents were six to 10 years younger than African American female superintendents in previous studies. The professional characteristics of the participants in the study were similar to previously identified professional characteristics of Black female superintendents. The majority of the Gulf Coast African American female superintendents had three or less years of experience and had been superintendents in only one state. Over half of the respondents had followed a traditional career path: teacher-building administrator-central office administrator-superintendent. Two unexpected findings were that two of the superintendents had no teaching experience, and one respondent had obtained the superintendency at age 30. The majority of the superintendents indicated they would choose to become superintendents again if they were starting over. Interpersonal skills and an emphasis on improving instruction were rated by the respondents as important factors contributing to the attainment of a superintendency. Knowledge of the instructional process, the ability to maintain organization relationships, and management skills were also perceived to be important factors for those seeking a superintendent’s position. Factors that were perceived to be barriers to attainment of superintendency were (a) “school boards do not actively recruit African Americans”, and (b) “ perception that females cannot handle dual responsibilities of a demanding position and family.” Sexism and racism were realities for the superintendents. Racism was considered to the greater barrier.