Paper Topic:

The Relationship between Age, Retention and Transformational Leadership: A Study of Female Principals in K-12 Illinois Public Schools

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AGE , RETENTION AND TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP A STUDY OF FEMALE PRINCIPALS IN K-12 ILLINOIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

by

Verta B . Midcalf

ROBERT HOCKIN , Ph .D , Faculty Mentor and Chair

ROBERT ROWDEN , Ph .D , Committee Member

ESTHER JENKINS , Ph .D , Committee Member

Kurt Lindberg , Ph .D , Dean , School of Business Technology

A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Capella University

December 2007

Abstract

The purpose of this leadership research study was to examine the relationship between age

, retention and transformational leadership in K-12 Illinois female public school principals . The problem was to determine the relationship between age , retention and transformational leadership in Illinois K-12 public school principals

Out of 875 districts were headed by female district administrators (i .e superintendents ) [as defined by the Illinois Department of Education (ISBE ) website , 2005-2006] . These 173 Illinois female district administrators (i .e , superintendents ) were asked permission to obtain email addresses of all of the female principals in their district for participation in an MLQ survey . From 103 located in eight regions , 74 (70 ) counties in the State of Illinois represented the 173 eligible school districts from which the female principals were asked to complete the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (5X-Short ) and two additional questions on age and retention . The questionnaire contained 45 items (which were rated by the principals on a frequency scale of 1 not at all to 5 frequently , if not always ) that measure transformational and transactional leadership styles and effectiveness behaviors . The research analyzed the relationship between age , retention and transformational leadership in K-12 Illinois public school principals

The leadership style of female principals in Illinois public schools is an important stepping stone to understanding how women in leadership positions perform their jobs . Paying attention to the relationship between age , retention and transformational leadership behaviors is important to the success of female leaders in top-level positions in education

Dedication

This work is dedicated to my mother , Sadie Mosley , God-mother , Hildred Dones , and my family and friends

To my mother for instilling in me the desire to continue to always seek knowledge and understanding in all that I do , and for teaching me that spirituality and a balance of self and others in my life are essential

To my God-mother for her guidance , counseling , coaching , advising and helping me from the age of ten , and for her endearing love and understanding in helping my mother and me in our times of need

To my family and friends for their kindness and support throughout the good and bad times and for never giving up hope that I would achieve and succeed Acknowledgements

I appreciate the valuable knowledge , training , and experience given to me by the faculty of Capella University in the Department of Organization and Management Leadership . I especially want to thank the following individuals

The 173 Illinois female district administrators who served as principals of schools in Illinois , whose example and leadership qualities are greatly appreciated

Dr . Robert Hockin , my mentor , for his kindness...

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