Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of superintendents, assistant superintendents/ directors of curriculum/instruction, assistant superintendents/ directors of personnel, and current women high school principals concerning the critical skills, attitudes, and experiences that they believe women should possess in order to increase the probability of women being selected for a high school principalship in California. Methodology. The study used descriptive and correlational research. The population was superintendents, assistant superintendents or directors of curriculum/ instruction, and assistant superintendents or directors of personnel in the 146 public school districts in California which have between two and nine high schools. The population also included current women high school principals in California. The instrument used for the study was a questionnaire. A technique called magnitude estimation, yielding a ratio scale, was used to assess the degree of importance of the skills, attitudes, and experiences as perceived by the respondents. In order to rank each characteristic the geometric mean of the respondent's ratings was calculated. Findings and Conclusions. The results of a Kendall's Tau Test for Correlation showed that members of the population's subgroups have extraordinarily similar opinions regarding the relative importance of selected skills, attitudes, and experiences that aspiring women high school principals should have. Development of interpersonal skills is essential. Women aspiring to become high school principals should be visible and present a positive image to the public. Experience as a high school assistant principal and in curriculum and instruction are important in obtaining a high school principalship.