This paper reports on a: (1) review of recent literature on the principal's role in the implementation of educational reform, and (2) study of teacher perceptions of the role of the principal in the implementation of recent Texas reform legislation. Research on societal and organizational change shows that the inevitability of change should be a…

This presentation discusses strategies upon which to base teacher incentives, and also assumptions within these strategies. The first strategy, influencing teacher turnover rates so that good teachers remain in the profession longer and poor teachers leave teaching sooner, includes consideration of occupational rewards, career structure, benefits,…

Speech teachers in small colleges often feel frustrated because of their course load and other heavy demands made on their time. Because their departments are small, they have few colleagues in their discipline to work with, and this--plus time constraints--makes it difficult for them to remain professionally active. One way they can extricate…

A large-scale sociological study of teacher burnout in the public schools is summarized. Data presented in the study consist of: a sample of 3,500 teachers in Houston, whose attitudes were monitored in 1977; exit interviews of every teacher in the initial sample who subsequently quit teaching over a 5-year period; achievement and attendance…

Causes and prevention of the decline of professional competencies acquired in American institutions of higher education by foreign-trained, Third World scholars and professionals and soon lost upon their return to their home countries are addressed. The context of this problem is described for three countries that were selected as examples:…

The development of a merit pay system in effect since 1953 in a suburban school district is discussed in light of district records and interviews with administrators and teachers. A key element of the system is a standing committee for evaluation of the program, consisting of the superintendent, teacher-elected representatives, and one…

To examine the impact of administrators' opinions on teacher quitting behavior, this document constructs a model using seven categories: (1) "actor traits," a teacher's personal characteristics; (2) "building characteristics," aspects of the work setting; (3) "investments/options," commitment factors such as years on the job and translatability of…

Based on a synthesis of research and on telephone interviews with representatives of 22 school districts, this study analyzes the effectiveness and problems of two types of motivational plans for teachers: merit pay plans in which at least part of a teacher's pay is linked to performance, and nonmonetary performance-by-objectives plans in which…

A report is given on perceived improvements in overall school climate resulting from staff development activities initiated in response to a needs assessment survey distributed in December 1979 to the staffs of three elementary schools, one junior high school, and two senior high schools in Springfield, Ohio. Information is given on: (1) priority…

Teachers are primarily motivated by intrinsic rewards such as self-respect, responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment. Administrators can therefore boost morale and motivate teachers to excel through participatory governance, inservice education, and systematic, supportive evaluation. (TE)

Perceptions concerning part-time teaching by part-time faculty at a large metropolitan university were studied. The respondents were divided into two groups: those who wished to teach part-time (the willing) and those who were teaching part-time because of their inability to find full-time work (the reluctant). In addition to questionnaire…

A questionnaire was designed to explore various elements of job satisfaction, multiple employment behavior, and other variables affecting the lives and work of public school teachers in Texas. A final return of 70 percent was received from a randomly selected mailing. Results revealed that one in three teachers was considering leaving teaching. Of…

Active literacy is the ability to inject one's own thoughts and intentions into messages received and sent, the ability to transform and to act upon aspects of the world via the written word. Five things are not working for literacy in Australia; formularistic exercise texts and kits, the media, experts with solutions, habits, and national…

The major purposes of this study were (1) to determine the congruence between perceived actual and desired frequency and extent of participation by teachers in the decision-making process; (2) to relate decision participation to teachers' job satisfaction; (3) to relate selected personal and situational variables to decisional participation; and…

In the past decade, increased demands on teachers have often resulted in situations conducive to stress. Teacher stress is defined as the occurrence of perceived negative situations that result in adverse teacher reactions or behaviors. Teacher stress can result from situations in three areas: (1) environmental stressors, encompassing living…