Describes (prompted by Pete Rose's unsuccessful challenge to the authority of the Commissioner of Major League Baseball) the creation of the Commissioner's office in 1921 by Albert Lasker, an advertising and public relations genius, to deal with the public relations problem facing baseball in the wake of the 1919-20 Black Sox scandal. (SR)

Discusses the impact on El Cerrito High School teachers of the bankruptcy of the Richmond Unified School District. Suggests that the teachers have lost the luxury of a moment to reflect. (RS)

The purpose of this book is to explore ways for campuses to maintain morale during the tough times facing higher education in the 1990s. Its message is based on two assumptions: (1) the very process of assessing morale can enhance morale; and (2) there are ways to enhance morale that do not require large infusions of new dollars. Chapters cover…

Analysis of religious activities and attitudes in a longitudinal panel of 272 community residents showed there were several significant and substantial correlations between religion and happiness, feelings of usefulness, and adjustment; these correlations also tended to be stronger for older persons and tended to increase over time. (Author)

The digest examines the supply and the quality of special education personnel and notes problems in the area of personnel preparation. Statistics are cited to show that the current supply of qualified personnel does not meet demand, particularly in such important areas as special education. Similarly, efforts in recent years to strengthen the…

While it is clear that health status is important in determining morale, and that social contact also contributes to morale, the interaction of health status and social contact on morale is not well understood. Elderly frail community residents (N=40) were interviewed twice in a 1-year period about their contact with friends, grandchildren,…

The author mentions findings of research on teacher morale and points out supportive roles which school personnel can play in helping teachers of emotionally handicapped students. Among the supportive settings listed are informal conversations, supervisory conferences, staff meetings, and inservice training sessions. Eight supportive roles which…

Reports on the construct validity of the Staff Morale Questionnaire, initially developed to measure five dimensions of morale among Australian teachers. Factor analysis confirms that the instrument taps only three dimensions--cohesive pride, leadership synergy, and personal challenge. (Author/IRT)

Describes a simple teacher reward program developed by a principal in a Daly City (CA) elementary school. (MD)

Teachers often cite stress as a reason for leaving the teaching profession. Stress does not have to be a negative factor. Discusses ways that principals can use their leadership skills to make stress a positive force. Includes five references. (Author/MD)

This brief article offers suggestions for teachers for coping with the mid-year teaching "blahs." Tips include talking about it; escaping for a day; changing routines; easing self-pressures; and self-praising. (CB)

Addresses problems part-timers face and offers solutions. (PD)

Uses meta-analytic techniques to synthesize findings on Black-White differences in subjective well-being among noninstitutionalized adults. Finds that race is related to subjective well-being, with Whites reporting slightly higher levels of subjective well-being than Blacks. (Author/SO)