A Comparison of Male and Female Saudi School Principals' Perspectives on Instructional Leadership

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 15
  In Roundtable Session: Educational Leadership Across the Boarder

Abstract

This qualitative study examined how male and female Saudi school principals in an urban province defined and enacted instructional leadership. Data were analyzed for each gender group separately with emerging themes used to develop instructional leadership theories for Saudi female and male principals individually. The common themes that emerged from the responses of the 22 female principals and 19 male principals in this study included teacher supervision and support of new teaching strategies. Differences in the discussion of relationship building by the female principals and the development of strategic plans to realize a school’s vision by the male principals were found. The findings are discussed in relationship to Western and international instructional leadership and gender difference in leadership research.

Authors

• Linda R. Vogel, University of Northern Colorado

• Ahlam Alhudithi, University of Northern Colorado

• Abdulmohsen Alsliman, University of Northern Colorado