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Case for Closing Superintendent Gender Gap: Pre-K Commitment

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Title: Case for Closing Superintendent Gender Gap: Pre-K Commitment
Language: English
Authors: Rachel S. White (ORCID 0000-0002-8408-2079), Lauren C. McKenzie (ORCID 0009-0000-7632-8633), Michael H. Little (ORCID 0000-0001-9321-3088), Rachel Rowan (ORCID 0009-0003-4965-6713), Timothy A. Drake (ORCID 0000-0002-6157-2219)
Source: Educational Researcher. 2026 55(3):216-219.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 4
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Preschool Education
Descriptors: Preschool Education, Superintendents, Gender Differences, Public Schools, Early Childhood Education, Teaching Experience, Background, Administrator Attitudes, Disproportionate Representation, Women Administrators, Training
DOI: 10.3102/0013189X251399178
ISSN: 0013-189X
1935-102X
Abstract: This brief considers how closing the superintendent gender gap may contribute to the strengthening of early childhood education (ECE) leadership. Using data from a national survey of superintendents, we find that women are significantly more likely than men to prioritize prekindergarten (pre-K) initiatives, even after controlling for ECE background and training and district characteristics. These gender differences are amplified among leaders with early grades teaching or ECE training. Our findings highlight the value of diverse leadership and suggest that supporting women's advancement to the superintendency could strengthen district-level ECE efforts.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1501177
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Case for Closing Superintendent Gender Gap: Pre-K Commitment
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rachel+S%2E+White%22">Rachel S. White</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8408-2079">0000-0002-8408-2079</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lauren+C%2E+McKenzie%22">Lauren C. McKenzie</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7632-8633">0009-0000-7632-8633</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Michael+H%2E+Little%22">Michael H. Little</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9321-3088">0000-0001-9321-3088</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rachel+Rowan%22">Rachel Rowan</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4965-6713">0009-0003-4965-6713</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Timothy+A%2E+Drake%22">Timothy A. Drake</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6157-2219">0000-0002-6157-2219</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Educational+Researcher%22"><i>Educational Researcher</i></searchLink>. 2026 55(3):216-219.
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Early+Childhood+Education%22">Early Childhood Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Preschool+Education%22">Preschool Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Preschool+Education%22">Preschool Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Superintendents%22">Superintendents</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gender+Differences%22">Gender Differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Public+Schools%22">Public Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Early+Childhood+Education%22">Early Childhood Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+Experience%22">Teaching Experience</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Background%22">Background</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Administrator+Attitudes%22">Administrator Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Disproportionate+Representation%22">Disproportionate Representation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Women+Administrators%22">Women Administrators</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Training%22">Training</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.3102/0013189X251399178
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  Data: 0013-189X<br />1935-102X
– Name: Abstract
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  Data: This brief considers how closing the superintendent gender gap may contribute to the strengthening of early childhood education (ECE) leadership. Using data from a national survey of superintendents, we find that women are significantly more likely than men to prioritize prekindergarten (pre-K) initiatives, even after controlling for ECE background and training and district characteristics. These gender differences are amplified among leaders with early grades teaching or ECE training. Our findings highlight the value of diverse leadership and suggest that supporting women's advancement to the superintendency could strengthen district-level ECE efforts.
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