Working Conditions and Well-Being of Early Childhood and K–12 Leaders: Differences and Similarities

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Nine
  In Roundtable Session: History, Leadership, and New Initiatives in Early Childhood (Table 16)

Abstract

In comparison to K-12 school principals, much less is known about the working conditions, longevity and well-being of early childhood leaders. For K-12 leaders, we lack a clear frame of reference for documented challenges in these areas. The question of whether or not ECE leaders experience similar challenges in their well-being and working conditions is largely unknown and thus motivated this largely descriptive study. In comparing these two groups, ECE leaders stay in the profession longer, work fewer hours and generally enjoy better overall working conditions, though both groups have high workloads and ECE leaders get paid far less. ECE leaders are in poorer physical health on average, and both groups are comparable in their psychological and professional well-being.

Authors

• Timothy G. Ford, University of Oklahoma
  Presenting Author

• Kyong-Ah Kwon, University of Oklahoma
  Presenting Author

• Thomas Francis McHugh, University of Oklahoma
  Presenting Author

• Alyson Lavigne, Utah State University
  Non-Presenting Author