Intra-Occupational Prestige Differentiation: The School Superintendency

Abstract

THIS paper deals with a neglected problem in the social stratification of occupations. Most research in this area has been concerned with prestige differences among occupations and begs the question of intra-occupational variability.' It is suggested that there may be as much or more variability in prestige within many occupational categories as among them. The central concern of this inquiry, one phase of the Harvard School Executive Role Studies,2 is with the differential prestige associated with specific positions of school superintendent, an occupation having characteristics of both professional and executive positions.3 Another unique aspect of this inquiry deserves emphasis. Whereas most studies of occupational stratification have been concerned with prestige evaluations by the general public 4 or by students,5 we were concerned with the evaluations made by incumbents of the positions to be rated. It should be noted, however, that although the incumbents made the ratings, they rated the positions, not each other. The main objectives of this inquiry are: first, to determine if there are significant differentials in prestige within this occupational category; second, to investigate the determinants of intra-occupational prestige differentiation in the school superintendency position.