Women principals and vice-principals, the impact of one Manitoba School Division's affirmative action policy on their appointments to administration and on selected aspects of their practices

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the experience of women administrators appointed during the practice of affirmative action policy and procedures as adopted by The Winnipeg School Division No. 1 (January 1986). It was interested in their perspectives as they aspired to, applied for, were appointed to, and acted as administration as members of a group targeted by affirmative action measures. The four women administrators recalled their experiences about factors affecting their decision to aspire, the encouragement they received to apply for administration, how they prepared for an administration role, and the impact of affirmative action policy and practice upon their pre-appointment experiences. The four women spoke about their experiences once appointed to administration in regard to their work relationships, their network of support, balancing their professional life with home-life responsibilities, and the impact of affirmative action policy on their administrative practice. Similarities and differences between the women interviewed and the literature regarding women aspirants to administration and the experiences of women appointed to administration are presented. Eight effects of the affirmative action policy upon women's administrative practice revealed in this study are presented. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)