Bias against females supes - Abstract - Review

School Administrator, June, 2002

The unequal treatment and discrimination female superintendents experience on the job is detailed in a new study, "Sexism, Silence and Solutions: Women Superintendents Speak Up and Speak Out." The author is Linda Skrla, professor of educational administration at Texas A&M.

The women in her study described difficulties of trying to meet both societal expectations at the same time fulfilling requirements of holding the top position in a school district. Obstacles include boards of education that question competence in noninstructional areas such as finance and athletics.

Male administrators, including principals and business managers, express concerns to boards about "working for a woman," the study found. The situation is compounded, Skrla says, when women are reluctant to speak out about discriminatory treatment, fearing they will be labeled a troublemaker.

The solution, the author says, is awareness and gender-based training for school boards.

The study is available by contacting Skrla at 979-862-4198 or lskrla@coe.tamu.edu.