Discusses the situation of part-time writing program faculty at the University of North Dakota and a research project undertaken to understand their situation. Suggests that such research, undertaken locally and shared with a local audience, can complement broad based reform initiatives like the Wyoming Resolution and the CCCC Statement of…

Examines the stress experienced by 10 teachers involved in a school merger in North England. Teachers were interviewed twice prior to the merger and once after. Results confirm the stressful nature of school mergers. The most acute stress probably stemmed from the uncertainty and lack of information provided, coupled with the threat of…

Argues that college faculty, including English teachers, must work to maintain a healthy, whole person in the midst of their maddeningly busy schedules. Outlines the pressures and responsibilities faced by college faculty. (HB)

Compares the Florida Educational Reform Act of 1983, a teacher merit pay program, with similar programs in other states and countries. Studies the reform's inception, implementation, and decline, using the concepts of coalition-building, fiscal support, and various work arenas (legislative and executive, administrative, professional organizations,…

Presents a strategy for identifying schools that are restructured across several dimensions. Analyzes data from a nominated sample of restructured schools to discover relevant dimensions and criteria and degree of restructuring. Schools tended to meet more criteria in the areas of student experiences and teachers' professional life; significantly…

Describes staffing of United States four-year college English departments. Notes the multitiered structure of professorial rank that has formed as a result of 20 years of increasing enrollment, and static or decreasing levels funding. Concludes that four-year English institutions are limited in their capacity to staff the full range of their…

Using a sample of 371 elementary and secondary teachers, this study examined whether three role stresses (role ambiguity, conflict, and overload) are related to two individually and organizationally related values and how teachers moderated stresses. Organizational commitment is affected by role stress. Teaming might increase role ambiguity.…

Teachers need different types of communities to sustain and inspire them. They seek like-minded "outsiders" committed to learning and discussing what they learn. When the author invited "San Francisco Chronicle" readers to help convince his students about reading's importance, he received 1,000 helpful replies. (MLH)

Explores how teachers' quality of working life contributes to their commitment to work and sense of efficacy in eight schools. Presents a model that ties workplace characteristics to important behaviors, attitudes, and psychological characteristics affecting teaching. Classroom observation and survey data suggest that quality-of-work-life measures…

Presents the history of the Newark Teachers Union, explaining how it reached out to teachers who had previously kept their distance by emphasizing professionalism and collective bargaining. However, 25 years later, teachers are disappointed because the Newark schools continued to decline despite the union victory, and the union itself became…

During induction, beginning physical education teachers assume new roles and responsibilities and must deal with a number of problems common to their workplace (wash-out, reality shock, isolation, marginalization, workload and role conflict, and deprofessionalization). Proactive professional development strategies for combatting these problems and…

Provides statistical demographic profiles of teachers in public, Catholic, and private schools. Presents measures of average teachers' professionalism, and numbers of teachers by age who are leaving the profession. Focuses on the percentage of schools that offer benefits, and the teacher attitudes regarding teaching conditions. Lists the…

Whining about not being treated as professionals buys teachers little respect. Teaching is hard work, but confers some plush benefits, while discouraging voluntary self-improvement efforts. The notion that pay should be commensurate with work is a noble delusion. Nannies and mothers are also underpaid. (MLH)

Often, teachers are criticized or ostracized by their peers after being recognized for excellence in teaching. Many teachers are threatened by the accomplishments of others. Sometimes, teachers avoid ostracism by limiting or eliminating their leadership roles. The only way to eliminate the leadership backlash among teaches is for school systems to…

An absenteeism study found that the largest percentage of teacher absences was due to professional development activities, illness, and vacant positions. High schools had lower absence rates than elementary and middle schools and centers. Absenteeism was also related to number of kids eligible for free-lunch programs. (Contains 20 references.)…