Characteristics of Principalship Candidates and Their Relation to Selection Patterns in Eight Illinois Communities' Public School Districts

Abstract

The focus of this study is directed to shedding light on whether a pattern exists in the selection of personnel for the principalship role among eight selected Illinois public school districts. The need for an in-depth review of data over a ten-year period, 1972-1982, dictated the utilization of an ex post facto, field study design. In describing each community, care was given in depicting the physical environment, economic condition, value system, and social strata that might impact each public school district principal selection process.

The characteristics of candidates for principalship selection were limited to experience within the school district, sex, race, age, and graduate school from which the last degree was awarded. The data collected indicated that candidates with experience in the district--insiders--are more likely to be selected to the principalship. White male candidates had a higher frequency of selection, particularly dominating appointments to assistant principalships. However, mixed selection patterns prevail from community to community creating differences in each school district's ratio of male-female and insider-outsider appointments.

One way to view the data revealed in this study is that two routes exist for selection to the principalship. One route is from the assistant principal to the head principalship. This route is dominated by males. The second is from teacher or graduate student to the head principalship. This route may be followed by some males and many females. Moreover, this path is common only to elementary principalship appointments. The data indicate a possible dilemma for female secondary principalship candidates created by the dominate preference for males in the role of assistant principal.