INDIANA SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR PERCEPTIONS OF FACULTY AGE
Abstract
This study was initiated to investigate perceptions of faculty age by secondary school administrators in Indiana. A non-reactive instrument was developed utilizing a resume selection format, and incorporating Fiedler's Least Preferred Co-Worker Scale. Respondents were also asked to provide verbal response to the reasons for resume decisions. Subjects for the study consisted of secondary school administrators in both the experimental and control groups. The experimental group consisted of a random sampling of 99 practitioners, of whom 83 percent responded to the study. Chi-square analyses and content analyses were used in the handling of the data. Control group respondents rated candidate resumes without age cues, and placed older candidates at the top of their rankings, validating the construction of the resume set. Experimental participants however, with age cues included in resumes, emphatically rejected older (53 and 57 years old) candidates. Results of the Chi-square analyses revealed a highly significant preference of administrators for younger, less qualified, and less well rated teachers. A significant effect was also obtained based upon leader style as measured by the LPC. High-task principals exhibited a preference for older candidates, and high relationship principals exhibited a preference for younger candidates. Content analysis of respondent verbal rejection commentary revealed that over sixty percent of those rejecting older candidates did so specifically because of age. Negative stereotypes of older teacher candidates were exhibited in the rejection commentary, including conservatism, unworthiness for service, lack of energy, and rigidity.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
School administration
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