Career Paths and the Superintendency: Women Speak Out

According to the 2000 census, women comprise nearly 51 % of the American population. Women constitute two thirds of the work force in education. Seventy-five percent of teachers are women; 41 % of principals are women, and women fill 60% of central office administration positions, yet, at the superintendent level, only 10% are women (Vail, 1999). Guthrie (1999) found that the shortage of women in top education positions mirrors other fields. Women make up 50% of the work force, yet they represent fewer than 11 % of the corporate officers of companies and 3% of the heads of companies. Women are relative newcomers to the fields of law, government, and business. In education, they are not new to the field. Keller (1999) indicated that policy experts indicate that the status of women is one of the most troubling leadership issues in education