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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to (1) determine the level of satisfaction that Nebraska school superintendents found in their work, (2) report the area of work in which Nebraska's school superintendents found the least and most satisfaction, and (3) determine the effect of five specific factors (age, experience, school size, salary, and degree attainment) upon the job satisfaction reported by the superintendents.
A total of 109 of the 125 Nebraska school superintendents contacted responded to the survey which requested demographic information and included the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). The responses on the MSQ were compiled and analyzed, and the constructs of the MSQ were ranked high to low. A multiple regression procedure was used to predict the effect of five factors upon job satisfaction and to predict the relationship between the constructs of the MSQ and the five factors studied.
The findings of the study revealed that the general satisfaction scores of the Nebraska school superintendents were comparable to the average scores of the norm groups established for the MSQ. The analysis of the 20 constructs of the MSQ indicated that Nebraska school superintendents found the least satisfaction in the opportunity for advancement, the ability of their board to make good decisions, and the lack of recognition they received from their board for a job well done. The areas in which Nebraska school superintendents found the most satisfaction were in their ability to be of service to others, the opportunity to be able to do things that did not go against their conscience, and the ability to do things on their own.
With the exception of salary, the results of the multiple regression procedure indicated there was little support that any of the factors researched in the study had a major influence upon the job satisfaction of Nebraska school superintendents. Although a statistical difference existed between the salary of Nebraska school superintendents and the general satisfaction score on the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, little practical significance was established.
