Reasons for the predominance of males in public school administrative positions are explored in this study. Methodology involved a survey of 350 graduates (175 female and 175 male) of principal certification programs in West Virginia, which yielded 258 responses, and followup interviews with 21 females who had identified sex discrimination as a major factor in their unemployment as administrators. A conclusion is that sex discrimination practices occur in the application, screening, interview, and selection stages of the administrative hiring process. Reported obstacles to female administrative employment include employers' negative attitudes toward women, sex role stereotyping, and women's lack of influential sponsors and professional networks. Respondents perceived preferential hiring and promotion practices as explanations for the gender imbalance existing in public school administrative positions. (8 references) (LMI)