Description
Book SynopsisMost published research on the superintendency has failed to examine the voices of female superintendents. Today, white males make up approximately 85% of superintendents, rendering female responses to the superintendency almost nonexistent. Women Leading School Systems, commissioned by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), provides a historical overview of women in top leadership positions. This study examines what drives some female educators to accept the challenge of becoming a superintendent and what drives others to remain in middle management. The authors also profile a number of women who spend their lives at the top of the school system. This comprehensive book is the only national study entirely dedicated to women's leadership.
Trade ReviewAll seven chapters of Women Leading School Systems enable the book to make a substantial and important contribution to the research literature on women in educational leadership. * Teachers College Record *
Although the stories of women superintendents are more readily available today than even 10 years ago, who would have known that over 75% of women superintendents feel strongly self-fulfilled? Women Leading School Systems: Uncommon Roads to Fulfillment is a satisfying change of pace within an arena desperately in need of positive and stimulating accounts. This book presents a comprehensive and insightful analysis of women in school-system-level leadership positions?superintendents as well as assistant and associate superintendents?their work, their values, their leadership, their choices, and their career paths. This thought-provoking book makes its point clearly and plainly: When talented women are discouraged from pursuing top leadership positionsin education, the loss is great for children, schools, and communities across our nation. But Brunner and Grogan do more. They also analyze how women, in the midst of challenge and adversity, have made choices and lives that they find fulfilling and allow them to contribute strongly and substantively to their chosen profession. Rich chapters, thick with the words of women leaders, render Brunner and Grogan's analysis highly engaging. Readers will learn much about themselves, their colleagues and the worl -- Michelle D. Young, Ph.D, executive director, the University Council for Educational Administration
In Women Leading School Systems: Uncommon Roads to Fulfillment, Brunner and Grogan render a fascinating and detailed portrait of women educators poised at the critical juncture between their current positions and higher levels of school leadership. These veteran scholars ask hard questions—and the answers they find are quite revealing, sometimes daunting, and surprisingly often, inspiring. Any woman who has even remotely considered school leadership will find this volume invaluable. -- Jackie M. Blount, Ph.D, professor of curriculum and instruction, Iowa State University
In today's parlance, 'women leaders rock!' So too does Brunner and Grogan's book. It documents leadership actions that help to garner public support, achieve increased learner outcomes, and, equally important, contribute to a sense of efficacy. All who aspire to the superintendency—male and female alike—should read Women Leading School Systems: Uncommon Roads to Fulfillment. -- Betty Hale, president, Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL), Washington, DC
Brunner and Grogan perform due diligence to this work by sharing the values, visions, stories and perspectives of several subgroups of women....With extensive use of tables and figures, the authors provide in-depth insight into this uncommon group of women who demonstrate that the most difficult problems in public education are not insurmountable....All aspiring school system leaders and those presently in those roles need to know these women. * School Administrator, October 2008 *
This text, like its metaphor, takes the road less traveled. It goes where no other book or research has gone by painting a more complete picture of women and the superintendency. Brunner and Grogan have pushed the door open for others to follow and continue this much needed work. -- Judy A. Alston, Ph.D., associate professor, Center for Education, Widener University, Chester, PA
Although the stories of women superintendents are more readily available today than even 10 years ago, who would have known that over 75% of women superintendents feel strongly self-fulfilled? Women Leading School Systems: Uncommon Roads to Fulfillment is a satisfying change of pace within an arena desperately in need of positive and stimulating accounts. This book presents a comprehensive and insightful analysis of women in school-system-level leadership positions—superintendents as well as assistant and associate superintendents—their work, their values, their leadership, their choices, and their career paths. This thought-provoking book makes its point clearly and plainly: When talented women are discouraged from pursuing top leadership positions in education, the loss is great for children, schools, and communities across our nation. But Brunner and Grogan do more. They also analyze how women, in the midst of challenge and adversity, have made choices and lives that they find fulfilling and allow them to contribute strongly and substantively to their chosen profession. Rich chapters, thick with the words of women leaders, render Brunner and Grogan's analysis highly engaging. Readers will learn much about themselves, their colleagues and the world around them from reading the tales told in this book. As such, I strongly recommend this book to practicing leaders, as well as students of educational leadership. -- Michelle D. Young, Ph.D, executive director, the University Council for Educational Administration
Table of ContentsPart 1 INTRODUCTION: The Yellow Wood—The Terrain of Uncommon Roads Part 2 SECTION ONE: Considering the Terrain Chapter 3 1. An Uncommon History Chapter 4 2. Aspiration and Uncommon Roads Part 5 SECTION TWO:. Considering the Top Chapter 6 3. Standing at the Fork in the Road Chapter 7 4. Choosing the Road Less Traveled Part 8 SECTION THREE: Poised on Top Chapter 9 5. Profile of Women Superintendents Chapter 10 6. Women of Color: Superintendents and Assistant/Associate/Deputy Superintendency Chapter 11 7. Conclusion: Flow in the Superintendency Part 12 APPENDIX: Design of the Study
