A random sample of 763 physicians was surveyed to examine the relation of 18 critical work-related factors to job satisfaction. On the whole, physicians reported that they were satisfied with their careers and believed that caring for patients, sense of accomplishment, continuity of care, autonomy, and personal time were the five most important…

This paper presents an analysis of some interview data from a small qualitative study of beginning teachers in their second year of teaching and selected mentors. It explores the extent of the opportunities for their further professional development and considers how the key "actors" in these schools perceive, and experience, their school systems…

This study details faculty perceptions concerning administrative structure and its impact on issues such as collegiality or student success. Faculty members in autonomous marketing departments are compared with those in combined units. Then, faculty never involved with departmental change are compared with faculty previously involved splitting…

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out what kind of contextual factors that positively or negatively influence effective school improvement (ESI) in The Netherlands. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, Sun's contextual level model with ten contextual factors and 48 indicators has been used to carefully…

This article reviews evidence from four international student achievement tests on the effects on student performance of competition from privately managed schools, schools' freedom to make autonomous decisions, and accountability introduced by external exit exams. The multivariate cross-country regressions are performed at the level of individual…

In this article, the authors respond to four 2006 "Mathematics Teaching" articles by Paul Andrews and Judy Sayers comparing conditions for learning mathematics in England and in four other European countries. They reflect on what might be done with English education, and with English mathematics education in particular. They challenge…

What kinds of ideas and issues do teachers, students, and citizens in general need to think about at this time in the history of society? And how can we in higher education address these important matters? This article offers one means by which such issues might be approached, in and through teacher education. Drawing on the critical work of Paulo…

A case study examined the process of preparing information for publication in an in-house newsletter for a large organization, focusing on the factors determining the amount of autonomy of public relations practitioners as professionals in organizations. The subject of the case study was a communication and advertising department of a "mixed…

A framework for thinking about teacher empowerment is presented. Two important dimensions are used as a basis for highlighting some important similarities and differences emerging in the literature on empowerment. The first dimension relates to the context in which the process occurs. Some educators highlight the importance of the personal context…

As various branches of local, state, and national government have attempted to improve educational performance, the policies imposed on schools have removed much control of teaching and the classroom from teachers. This study reports on an unintended outcome of this "legislated learning," that is, the creation of situations that are…

Despite a wealth of research literature showing the importance of teacher empowerment and autonomy, and a multitude of plans and models for bringing teachers to the decision-making table, teachers remain encapsulated in their classrooms. In spite of career ladders, career lattices, merit pay, and mentorships, teachers have been unable to take…

This paper examines the cultural and philosophical roots of competing interests in the proliferation and implementation of computers in the schools of Quebec, Canada, and specifically addresses the effect of this technology on teacher autonomy, professionalism, and the learning/teaching experience. In particular, it considers the implications for…

Selected Department of Defense (DOD) policies were examined concerning nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, particularly in regard to the extent to which these nurse specialists are allowed an independent scope of practice in military hospitals and the degree of physician supervision they require. Discussions were held with…

Teacher supervision is suffering from a legacy of being affiliated with an outmoded integration of science and technology. Dialectical supervision, which emphasizes empowering teachers with ways of knowing that involve continually confronting themselves and searching for more responsive and less dominant educative practices, is proposed as an…

This article suggests how and why democratic dialogue has disappeared from teacher education and from the education community. The failure of an increasing body of scientific knowledge about teaching to empower teachers is discussed. The inquiry-oriented paradigm of teacher education, which may best address these issues, is described. (JL)