Analysis of a school district where merit pay has existed for 30 years and a more general review of other merit pay proposals led to the disclosure of eight critical issues to be considered before the actual implementation of merit pay programs. (MLF)

Reporting on results from a survey of school improvement programs, the author points out that the majority of such programs concentrate on curriculum and instruction. While programs differ, their goals are often similar, and many do not require additional funding. (MD)

A study examined the negative impacts of forensics upon primary relationships and family life. The study was designed to assess the professional and personal concerns of active forensics coaches. Subjects were seven males and four females, nine of whom were married, five of whom have children, and only one of whom reported having a spouse or…

The author, a private educational consultant in Michigan, traces the influence of early experiences, positive and negative role models, and various jobs on his career development. As a counselor and teacher trainer, he was particularly concerned with teacher burnout and stress. (PP)

Certain dissatisfactions emerged as a universal theme among 200 teachers observed and interviewed during a study of school environments. Teachers are charged with increased responsibility, while they suffer from a loss of authority. Reasons for the loss of authority and its effects on teacher morale are discussed. (PP)

Examines educator drop out rates in Illinois and reveals that this problem is not as great as has been reported in the media. (FL)

Programs in special education and business with implications for reducing teacher stress and burnout are described. Included are inservice programs focusing on personal and environmental stressors as well as on administrative remedies. (CL)

There are many stress-producing factors in the life of a teacher. While discipline seems to be the major problem, social and personal problems also increase the pressure of daily living. Changing negative attitudes and widening limited perspectives will help to combat the inevitable stress of teaching. (JD)

Burnout in human service organizations can be caused by funding problems, overwork, the nature of clients, and ineffective management. A social-professional support group should be a formal part of the organizational structure to provide opportunities for evaluation and feedback, as well as individual help to professionals. (JAC)

Questionnaires distributed during a "Teacher Stress" in-service workshop revealed that 46 percent of these teachers were dissatisfied with their job as a whole and, if they had it to do all over again, would not choose teaching as a career. More specific responses are discussed. (Author/SJL)

Asserts that community college faculty development programs should take place in concert with institutional development and should nurture professionalism by recognizing faculty autonomy and by realizing that attempts to refine teaching practices through externally imposed faculty development take away this autonomy but may not improve instruction…

Presents four causes of the skepticism toward public education in the United States: negative portrayals by the media; the disengagement of educators because of constant criticism; apprehension caused by attacks on public education by far right groups; and the failure to make changes to ensure higher academic achievement. (AJL)

Examined levels of burnout and relationships between burnout and selected personality characteristics and role expectations in a sample of school psychologists employed as practitioners in school settings. Results indicated personality variables related significantly to burnout over and above demographic and work condition variables. Implications…

A survey of 298 teachers found a relationship between burnout and teachers' perceptions of support from administrators and parents. It also found differing perceptions of support by teachers in urban, rural, and suburban locales. Results suggest the need for special education administrators to provide explicit support for special education…

Describes methods used to successfully adapt to reductions in budget allocations in the University of Utah's Instructional Media Services Department. Three main areas of concern are addressed: morale and staff development; adapting to change in the areas of funding, control, media priorities, and technology; and planning for the future. (LRW)