Out of Women's Experience: School Leadership for Women and Men.

In the past 2 decades women have begun to make inroads into the male-dominated area of public school administration. Advancement for women was hindered by male-based approaches to teaching and preparation of school administrators. Meanwhile, women in other professions were making progress and forming support networks. One such group, the Northeast Coalition of. Educational Leaders (NECEL), was formed in 1975 to promote women in educational leadership positions. NECEL later created The Future Directions Project, which outlined a 10-year plan for the organization and how it could promote women school administrators. Members determined through the project that unlike many men, women approach the professional iorld with the core values used in their personal lives. Women interpret the world differently than men through a different category of experiences, and feminist leadership reflects this view. Collaboration, caring, courage, intuition, and vision were identified as characteristics women bring to educational leadership positions. However, women can learn from the experiences of men. Preparation programs, traditionally male-based, should begin teaching the qualities women bring to school administration. (Contains 15 references.) (JPT) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ***********************************************************************