This paper explores the relationships between population density, social interaction patterns, and morale in rural communities. It tests two apparently competing hypotheses concerning rural population density, social interaction patterns and overall levels of morale: one, that low (and rapidly declining) rural densities lead to feelings of…

This study investigated the morale of 84.5 per cent of 223 randomly selected North Carolina Community College faculty. The study's objectives were to: (1) determine whether differences in morale existed when faculty members were grouped according to type of faculty position (vocational, technical, college transfer), sex, age, total number of years…

Given its success as a high achieving, award-winning magnet school for academically oriented students in grades 9-12, Columbus Alternative High School has more than successfully fulfilled its ambitious mission in the 30 years since it was named. According to the school's mission statement, Columbus Alternative aims "to create a truly…

This articles addresses the conservative dynamics of "neoconservatism" in the field of education with particular reference to possible complementarities between the "voices" of two, seemingly alternative public intellectuals. These dynamics are conceptualized as part of what is, in social realist mode,…

Many urban schools struggle to retain their best teachers because of challenging work environments, poor salaries, and ineffective school leadership. The additional requirements of the No Child Left Behind legislation for teachers to be highly qualified and the increased academic requirements of raising students to a proficient level in reading…

The study was undertaken with the objective of assessing groups influence on management style as related to University governance with University of Agriculture, Makurdi as a case study from academic staff perspective. The management style of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi between the period September 3, 1996 to…

Low staff morale results from professional lives that have little meaning; from frustration and the inability to change what is happening; and from muddled goals and demands exceeding scarce resources. Schools with high staff morale have very distinctive features, including a sense of community. Factors determining high morale are: (1) input into…

This paper is the result of an explorative study, based on the in-depth meta-analysis of a corpus of contemporary pieces of research in which there was found clear references to veteran theatre teachers talking about their work. Following that, extracts from interviews of experienced theatre teachers were analyzed. The major aim of this study is…

This study explores leadership styles and gender in higher education (HE) by examining representation of female professors in Australian and Turkish universities and identifying barriers to achieving seniority. The paper explores factors, including leadership styles, which explain the higher representation of female professors in Turkey, despite…

California's students, particularly its poorest students, need great teachers. Unfortunately, California's seniority-based teacher layoff system puts adult privileges over student needs. Newer teachers are laid off first, regardless of how well they do their jobs. This system is especially damaging to schools serving the highest numbers of…

Teachers receive direction from national commissions, researchers, staff developers, state education personnel, superintendents, parents, private pressure groups, the courts, commercial vendors, federal regulators, and politicians. This direction overload depletes energy, blurs individuality, and erodes confidence, causing many educators to either…

Most educators understand that excessive student mobility contributes to problems in school climate, attendance, and achievement. Research reveals that they believe there is little that can be done about the problem because of its roots in housing instability, poverty, divorce, and other family issues that are beyond the control of the schools.…

The present study was designed to investigate the teacher and student morale in two schools, one with and one without obvious problems. The research focuses on (1) staff feelings about coworkers and supervisors, and staff satisfaction with the degree of participation and recognition received from work; (2) student feelings about teachers, student…

Describes a two year pilot program which made a significant step toward improving academics, morale, and student/parent involvement which helped a Florida junior high school earn national recognition. (MD)

The purpose of this mixed method, survey-based inquiry was to determine how Georgia public high school faculty members perceive various pressures and experiences associated with a career in education. These perceptions were then analyzed as possible indicators of teacher attrition in order to improve retention rates. The independent demographic…