'Outside of the Norm': Equity and Management in Educational Institutions. Final Full Report.

Findings of a study that explored the experiences of women and black and/or ethnic minority men in United Kingdom educational institutions are presented in this paper, with a focus on the strategies, and personal and institutional obstacles, experienced by those groups as well as the management strategies that enhanced their administrative advancement. In-depth interviews were conducted with 38 senior managers, principals, headteachers, and academics from England and Scotland. Eight respondents were black men, 10 were black women, and 20 were white women. Other data were derived from consultations with other educators and representatives from commerce and industry. Overall, respondents used a democratic, or "flat," management style, though differences existed among subgroups. A continuum of institutional adoption of equal opportunity practices was identified, which indicated that smaller, lower-status educational institutions made greater progress. Nonwhite staff were significantly underrepresented in most institutions, and activism played an important role in minorities' career trajectories. A conclusion is that racism and sexism appear to be as endemic in education as elsewhere; however, discriminatory practices have become insidious rather than explicit. Appendices contain information on methodology, institutional practices, and advice to aspiring managers. (Contains 24 references.) (LMI)