Perceptions of Female and Male Superintendents for a Middle School Principalship as Moderated by Sex and National Origin of Applicants

Abstract

A 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design involving sex of superintendents, sex of applicants, and national origin of applicants (Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic) is used to assess screening decisions for a middle school principalship. Screening decisions are analyzed from a sequential model to capture selection as a process. Results indicate that biases surface early for male superintendents relative to the national origin of job candidates. Our research indicates the playing field for Hispanic job candidates is less than level for leadership positions at middle schools when assessed by male public school superintendents even when Hispanic job candidates are equally qualified as compared to their non-Hispanic counterparts.