On Hiring Principals: Perceptions of Principals on Selection and Hiring Practices--Are They Objective, Equitable and Fair?

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Bibliographic Details
Title: On Hiring Principals: Perceptions of Principals on Selection and Hiring Practices--Are They Objective, Equitable and Fair?
Language: English
Authors: Godin, P., Mithoefer, M. P.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 1988
Document Type: Reports - Research
Descriptors: Administrator Characteristics, Administrator Qualifications, Administrator Selection, Affirmative Action, Boards of Education, Elementary Secondary Education, Equal Opportunities (Jobs), Principals, Sex Discrimination, Sex Fairness, Social Bias, Superintendents
Geographic Terms: Maine
Abstract: The study examined whether or not research is being put into practice to select the best and the brightest for the position of principal and attempts to categorize ways in which discrimination occurs by identifying whether hiring agents discriminate against certain kinds of candidates. Specifically, three kinds of bias are examined: (1) gender of the candidate; (2) experience versus knowledge or education of the candidate; and (3) miscellaneous variables in hiring practices. The sample population included all 39 elementary and secondary principals in Washington County, Maine, with 29 (74%) of the principals responding. The perceptions indiciate that superintendents and school boards are not as objective, fair, and equitable as they should be in selecting and hiring principals. There is an apparent disregard for the level of education or knowledge of candidates on the part of hiring agents. Implications for the future are discussed. Appended are seven references and a bar graph of characteristics of the respondents in the sample population. (SI)
Entry Date: 1989
Accession Number: ED307685
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The study examined whether or not research is being put into practice to select the best and the brightest for the position of principal and attempts to categorize ways in which discrimination occurs by identifying whether hiring agents discriminate against certain kinds of candidates. Specifically, three kinds of bias are examined: (1) gender of the candidate; (2) experience versus knowledge or education of the candidate; and (3) miscellaneous variables in hiring practices. The sample population included all 39 elementary and secondary principals in Washington County, Maine, with 29 (74%) of the principals responding. The perceptions indiciate that superintendents and school boards are not as objective, fair, and equitable as they should be in selecting and hiring principals. There is an apparent disregard for the level of education or knowledge of candidates on the part of hiring agents. Implications for the future are discussed. Appended are seven references and a bar graph of characteristics of the respondents in the sample population. (SI)