Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify the career paths of individuals prior to their first appointment as a superintendent of a public school district which employed eight or more teachers to determine: (1) if there were any common career patterns of career-bound and place-bound individuals, (2) if the career patterns were different for career-bound and place-bound individuals, and (3) what effect gender, size of district, type of district, age and length of tenure had upon the career patterns. A survey was conducted, by questionnaire, of all women superintendents and a random sample of all men superintendents of districts which employed eight or more teachers. The data was analyzed by content analysis, chi square test of significance, and descriptive statistics. The study found no significant difference between the career patterns of career-bound and place-bound superintendents. However, when the career paths were grouped by gender, size of district, and type of district, some significant differences were found. There was a significant difference between the career paths of male and female place-bound superintendents, and between small district career-bound and place-bound superintendents. There was also a significant difference between large district career-bound and place-bound superintendents in regards to the principalships held. There was a significant difference among small, medium and large district career-bound superintendents in regards to career paths, and principal positions held, and among place-bound superintendents in regards to career paths. There was a significant difference among elementary, high school, and unified career bound superintendents in regards to principal positions held and among place-bound superintendents in regards to career paths and principal positions held. The data indicated that: (1) career paths to the superintendency in California are more complex than those found in the literature, (2) in California central office positions in the career paths are more the rule than the exception, (3) with the exception of large districts, California districts hire more frequently from outside the district than from within, (4) the ratio of career-bound superintendents to place-bound superintendents is approximately the same for both men and women, (5) women superintendents in California, are not relegated primarily to small districts, and 6) women use career paths which exclude the principalship more frequently than men.