The number of women in school and university leadership roles still lags far behind men, says a book edited by a University of Toronto education professor.
"Opportunities for women to move into leadership roles - department heads, principals and deans - are still limited because of their gender," says Cecilia Reynolds of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of U of T (OISE/UT) and editor of Women and School Leadership: International Perspectives. The book, published in April by SUNY Press, is a compilation of research by international female academics examining the role of women leaders within their countries' educational systems.
Reynolds, associate dean of program at OISE/UT, says while more women are assuming roles as principals and vice-principals in elementary and secondary schools in many countries, the majority of these positions are still held by men. "Gaining recognition remains a challenge for many women leaders," says Reynolds. "They complain that they still aren't getting any respect."
Moreover, women who become principals are often assigned to "problematic" schools, she says. Her research for the book, which examined the role of female and male principals in Toronto from the 1940s to 1970s, notes that women were put in to "troubleshoot" at these schools. Men, however, were given prestigious schools which were easier to manage; their success would often lead to further promotions. "This perpetuates gender imbalances at higher levels in the school hierarchy," she adds.
Reynolds says both men and women need to help in removing gender barriers that have held women back from education's senior positions for so long. "To redress the old boys club in schools, the educational system needs to go deeper than following a quota approach to promotion and hiring. We need to foster leaders to understand gender complexity and the value of diversity." The book was partially funded by a Connaught grant.
CONTACT: Professor Cecilia Reynolds, OISE/UT, 416-923-6641 x 3218, creynolds@oise.utoronto.ca or Sue Toye, U of T public affairs, 416-978-4289, sue.toye@utoronto.ca