Factors influencing the career aspirations of female educational administrators in Newfoundland and Labrador

Guy, Myrtis Violet (1988) Factors influencing the career aspirations of female educational administrators in Newfoundland and Labrador. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The status of female educators in Newfoundland and Labrador was established for the school year 1986-87. Proportions of female educators were categorized by denominational system and subgroup in the educational hierarchy. Administration of the "Female Administrator's Questionnaire" to the entire population of the 300 female administrators in the province provided data to examine their career aspirations and the factors influencing these aspirations. Included in the processing and analysis of data were frequency tabulations, percentages and statistical testing, along with some consideration being given to the written comments provided by the 225 respondents. -- Based on the findings of this study, the following conclusions were put forth: -- 1. While females occupy the greatest proportion of the teaching force in Newfoundland and Labrador, there exists an imbalance in disfavour of women at all administrative levels in the hierarchy. As the level of administrative responsibility increases, the number of females decreases until they become nonexistent at the superintendency level. -- 2. A large proportion of female administrators in the province aspire to increased administrative duties at all levels in the hierarchy, including the superintendency. -- 3. Age, marital status, sex-role ideology, professional credentials, and involvement in certain aspects of The Newfoundland Teachers' Association are significantly related to career aspirations. -- 4. Family background, family obligations, and encouragement are not significantly related to career aspirations. -- 5. Lack of professional credentials is perceived by these female administrators as a barrier to their career aspirations, while acquisition of professional credentials is perceived as a facilitator of career aspirations. -- 6. Satisfaction with their career is the prime reason for wanting to remain in current administrative positions, while the desire for a challenge is the prime reason for wanting greater administrative responsibilities. -- Recommendations of the researcher include actions to be taken by various groups to correct the imbalance of the sexes in educational administration at all levels of the hierarchy. Further research might include career satisfaction of female administrators, career paths of superintendents in relation to the implications for aspiring female administrators, and the attitudes of spouses toward female administrators' career aspirations.

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