This study investigated the variation in rate of upward mobility among public school superintendents. An explanation for that variation was provided in a theory which involved upward mobility as a function of professional attractiveness and inside sponsorship operating in a perceived paternalistic environment. Attractiveness variables included in the theory were categorized as physical, attitudinal, technical, or political. The sample consisted of 427 educational administrators, 294 superintendents, and 133 non-superintendents. A total of 251, 172 superintendents and 79 non-superintendents, or 59 percent participated in the study. Data were collected by mail return of the Questionnaire for Career Development of Educational Administrators within which four instruments were contained. The Modified Career Orientations Survey, Educational Work Components Study, Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-- Behavior, and Background Information Form measured the professional attractiveness variables, inside sponsorship, and perceived paternalism. Data were analyzed using multiple regression and discriminant analysis. / Ed. D.