The School Administrator

September 2009 Number 8, Vol. 66Navigating the LabyrinthFor women superintendents, it's more than a glass ceiling

Features

Navigating the Labyrinth
by ALICE H. EAGLY AND LINDA L. CARLI
A pair of sociologists say the glass ceiling as the metaphorical barrier to top leadership posts no longer fits for women. It’s been replaced by a series of complex and circuitous obstacles.
Similar Reading: Reactions to the labyrinth argument and A bright horizon for women leaders and Pauline Sampson: Mamisma or machismo?
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Self-Imposed Barriers
by MARY LYNNE DERRINGTON AND GENE C. SHARRATT
To these researchers, it’s a familiar scenario: Women caught in the tug of war between personal and professional choices. What does it take for female leaders to move beyond the limits they set themselves to reach the superintendency in greater numbers?
Similar Reading: Four attitudes of success
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Dilemmas and Discarded Leadership
by JOYCE A. DANA
“The community does not want a woman superintendent.” Those were the brash words directed at the author by a newly elected school board member when she aspired for the top post in small Midwestern school district. Women continue to be suppressed by cultural norms.
Similar Reading: Suzette Lovely: Crying in the workplace and AASA resources
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Single-Gender Classrooms
by JIM REX AND DAVID CHADWELL
Classrooms organized by gender are gaining in popularity, nowhere more than South Carolina, where the authors serve as leaders of a movement they say is backed by research on gender differences in learning. Early anecdotal evidence looks promising in their schools.
Similar Reading: Maree Sneed: Legalities of single-sex classes and Stephen Hefner: Equalizing learning in our district and Additional resources
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Feminization of Schools
by JANET D. MULVEY
If young boys are being left behind, what targeted teaching strategies can lead them to reach their potential?
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Profile

Bridging Gulfs Near and Far by Paul Riede

The superintendent in the well-off community of Simsbury, Conn., finds ways to bridge gulfs between people near and far.

Departments

Board-Savvy Superintendent

The Rogue Member in the Boardroom by MICHAEL T. ADAMSON

The introduction of one new board of education member can change everything. The best solution may be containment — limiting the rogue’s circle of influence.

Focus

Delivering a Presentation That Zings by RON DIETEL

A communications director has developed recommendations to help others improve the quality of their public presentations. Top of the list is this: Practice, practice, practice.
40 Intellectual Property: Mining Gold in Your Backyard

Intellectual Property: Mining Gold in Your Backyard by CAROL SIMPSON

By creating curricular material and classroom assessment tools, school districts are positioned to generate revenue through the marketing and sale of this property to other schools. A few districts have begun to capitalize.

Guest Column

Today’s Children: Asset or Liability? by GARY A. BURTON

The author has been wondering how community residents view school-aged children in hard financial times. He feels good about the choice of his own town.

Tech Leadership

Why Superintendents Need a Vision for Technology by KEITH R. KRUEGER

When superintendents do not see technology oversight as part of their job, they neglect their role in supporting a 21st-century learning environment, according to the CEO of the Consortium for School Networking.

President's Corner

From the Press Box to the Sidelines by MARK T. BIELANG

Whether your goal is a winning sports campaign or a productive school year, September marks the start of a new season. It’s time to gather your team, develop your game plan and coach your players to victory.

Executive Perspective

First Impressions of China by DANIEL A. DOMENECH

Fresh observations of schooling in the Heilongjiang Province of China, where AASA’s executive director led a summer expedition of 25 AASA members as guests of the College Board and Hanban, a nonprofit educational organization. The author found himself surprised by what he experienced.

People

People

This month’s collection of professional career transitions: appointments, retirements, deaths.

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