The data was analyzed with four statistical tests. Students t tests were used to compare the two groups with the demographic variables of age, years of experience in community education, and years of experience in present position. The demographic variables of education was treated with a median test and a chi-square for the two group's comparison of this variable. The demographic variable of sex was also tested with a chi-square.

A possible explanation for the findings might be that community education is a relatively new process and not enough coordinators have more experience and education than others in the field for these factors to be felt. The demographic variable of sex was the one demographic variable that did show a significant difference between the two groups when compared with it. This finding may be attributed to several factors. Women's late entry into positions of leadership could be a factor, or the fact that traditional male-dominated styles of leadership are not congruent with community education philosophy could cause this finding to emerge. . . . (Author's abstract exceeds stipulated maximum length. Discontinued here with permission of author.) UMI

Literature indicated that older, better educated, more experienced leaders would be more effective than leaders that were younger, less educated, and less experienced. The findings of the study did not support these assumptions. No significant differences were found between the two groups of community education coordinators when compared with the demographic variables age, education level, years of experience in community education, and years of experience in present position. The demographic variable of sex did demonstrate a significant difference between the two groups when compared with this variable. There was also a significantly larger proportion of effective coordinators represented in the sample than there were noneffective coordinators.

This study was designed to identify leadership styles used by community education coordinators and investigate the factors that could influence those styles. The study sought to determine if the demographic variables of age, sex, education level, years of experience in community education, and years experience in present position affected whether a coordinator used an effective or non-effective style of leadership.