Women in administration in secondary and post-secondary schools in Lunenburg and Queens counties, Nova Scotia

Abstract

This thesis was undertaken to investigate why there are so few female educators in Educational Administration in Lunenburg and Queens counties. Several questions were asked to fulfil the purpose of this thesis.

Specifically, the purpose was to reveal the reasons for the underrepresentation of women in educational administration. The factors to be addressed were the years of experience as an educator, and the job aspirations of women educators at these two levels.

Surveys were distributed in these two districts to all secondary and post-secondary educators (male and female) from 1993-1994. Later, ten interviews were conducted in 1994. The interviewees were 4 male and 6 female administrators from both Lunenburg and Queens Counties.

The findings of the study revealed that educators hold many views on educational administration. The role women play in this field is discussed. The cultural traditions in these areas are relevant because many of these views still influence the expectations placed on women in the present day school administration. Progress is occurring, but it is currently too slow for many females.

It can be concluded from this study that women have come a distance in educational administration in Lunenburg and Queens Counties, but there is still a great distance to go to reach a balance of females and males in educational administration.

Recommendations are given by the author of this study as possible solutions for a more equal balance of females and males in the secondary and post secondary levels of educational administration in the counties of Lunenburg and Queens. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)