Perceptions of Leadership Behaviors by Female Principals in North Carolina

• Published in: Journal of women in educational leadership Vol. 7; no. 3; pp. 115 - 133
• Main Authors: McFadden, Cheryl, Maahs-Fladung, Cathy, Beck-Frazier, Susan, Bruckner, Kermit
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: ProActive Publications 01.07.2009
• Subjects: Administrator Attitudes; Administrator Behavior; Administrator Characteristics; Age Differences; Females; Human Resources; Internet; Leadership; Marital Status; North Carolina; Principals; Response Rates (Questionnaires); Statistical Analysis; Surveys; Women Administrators; Work Experience; North Carolina
• ISSN: 1541-6224

This study was designed to investigate whether significant differences exist among the perceptions of leadership behaviors of female principals in North Carolina using Bolman and Deal's (1984) four frames (structural, human resource, political, and symbolic) for analysis. Participants consisted of 1,245 female principals from elementary,middle, and secondary public schools in North Carolina. The researchers collected 525 responses for a 53% response rate. Overall, female principals in North Carolina perceive that they use multiple frame perspectives in their leadership behaviors. Furthermore, results indicate that age, parental status, and years in current position made a difference in the number and type of frames female principals use. (Contains 7 tables.)