A suburban Philadelphia district set aside $100,000 for merit-pay (bonuses) for individuals and groups of teachers. Although teachers are resistant, vowing to give to charity any bonuses linked to test scores, morale and scores have improved. Cincinnati and Castle Rock, Colorado, have workable plans. (MLH)

Examines some negative consequences of North Carolina's statewide testing system, based on perceptions of 236 elementary teachers. Respondents reported high levels of stress and lower morale, a narrowed curriculum, and decreased student love of learning. They also believed widespread grade repetition was inevitable. (Contains 15 references.) (MLH)

Suggests that improving teachers' job satisfaction is paramount in an era where half of new teachers drop out of the profession in the first five years. Discusses sources of teacher dissatisfaction, benefits of collegial investment, shared leadership, support meetings, mentoring, and lessening dissatisfaction. (RS)

Using the Index of Teaching Stress, an instrument assessing a teacher's subjective level of stress and frustration in response to teaching a particular student, a study found elementary school teachers (n=64) rated students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as significantly more stressful to teach than their typical classmates.…

Examines how data generated from a planned intervention facilitated a redesign of work teams in one state's public welfare agency. Major results of the intervention show improved client services and higher staff morale. Concludes that students and practitioners preparing for careers in human services can benefit from a review of the strategies…

Overreliance on standardized testing sends a message to students that learning is remembering facts, and that intelligence is a function of how quickly people can do things. In schools around the country, the content and style of teaching are being placed in the service of the tests. (MLF)

When preservice teachers graduate and obtain their first teaching position, it is hoped that they have taken the first step on a creative path toward becoming professional educators. Naturally, it is expected that these novice educators will get support from both experienced colleagues and administrators, who often serve as their mentors. Such…

This study explored job satisfaction and changes needed to help boost levels of job satisfaction. Self-reported job satisfaction data were collected from 71 school nurses employed in elementary, middle, and high school settings via interactive focus groups. The subjects participated in a 30- to 45-minute focus group session that was audiotaped and…

A national study was conducted to examine the quality of mid-level leaders' worklife, satisfaction, morale and their intentions to leave. The study included 4,000 mid-level leaders who were randomly selected from a total national population of 11,300 from both public and private institutions within five Carnegie classifications (e.g.,…

Stress occurs among all groups in a school community and can affect morale, performance, and leadership ability. This article discusses how educators must deal with and control stress. Principals must address their own stress to create a healthy school culture. Moreover, the author presents two survival strategies that can provide support and…

Students and faculty have had numerous disruptions this academic year with Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma developing into major stressors. During this innovative session, we will examine some of the challenges and strategies used by faculty to work with students to maintain empathy and academic rigor in times of stress and disruption, and…

This guide presents individual and school-based strategies to help teachers deal with stress and burnout. The following individual strategies are briefly described: biofeedback, buddy system, childhood energy, conflict management, desensitization, dreams, exercise, humor, ideology, imaging, leaving stress behind, looking forward, making lists,…

An analysis of teachers' job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction is presented in this paper. The report focuses on the perceptions of job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction held by both male and female Caucasian teachers in grades 7-12. The teachers' perceptions were then compared to the perceptions of principals. The sample included 64…

Problems of international economic competition, environmental degradation, and quality of life demand the very best form the United States research community. New information assembled by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) documents a deeply troubled mood among university researchers, even those who have been successful…

This practicum sought to elevate the morale level of direct-care staff in a residential group care setting providing residential care to dependent, neglected, and/or abused children ages 7 through 17. Four solution strategies were attempted that addressed the areas of staff support, communication, and recognition. A representative of a top…