The author's statement to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions on the challenges faced by America's classroom teachers focuses on a few of the factors that lead to teacher frustration and burnout that higher pay, however well-intended, does not change. They include, but are not limited to, poor teacher preparation,…

Every year, tens of thousands of students in the United States begin their postsecondary education with the intention of becoming artists. Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP) research has focused greatly on these students, paying particular attention to their educational experiences and careers. However, not every arts graduate intends…

Many school employers struggle with teacher turnover challenges despite their use of wide-ranging teacher retention initiatives. Emphasizing a new Talent Centered Education Leadership approach, this article relies on a theory-building methodology that leverages the theories of career choice and Herzberg's motivation-hygiene, empirical literature…

For many students, the summer is a time for family vacations, new friendships, new adventures in camps and summer learning programs, or taking summer classes to catch up or get ahead in school. For some families, affordable summer programs and camps can be a lifeline, while other families who may not be able to afford summer programs or activities…

"Demoralized: Why Teachers Leave the Profession They Love and How They Can Stay" offers a timely analysis of professional dissatisfaction that challenges the common explanation of burnout. Featuring the voices of educators, the book offers concrete lessons for practitioners, school leaders, and policy makers on how to think more…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) "Building a Grad Nation": New Report Finds More than Half of States Increased High School Graduation Rate, Number of "Dropout…

Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) Section 49-7-202 (c) (7) requires the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to "submit a biennial report to the governor and the general assembly, commenting upon major developments, trends, new policies, budgets and financial considerations which in the judgment of the commission will be useful to the…

In Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville, KY, a number of unique strategies are being used to attract and retain qualified principals. Based on a survey of principal-certified personnel, the district conducted a more aggressive external recruitment effort, and also started providing housing subsidies, salary incentives, and assigning some…

Using the Michigan Organizational Assessment Questionnaire, this study examines demographic information and job-related perceptions of school business officials. The survey discloses important insights into administrators' salaries and fringe benefits, decision-making responsibilities, organizational changes, job expectations, and personal…

Outlines an innovative district-wide staff development program that improved morale, lessened the teacher burnout rate, and saved the district money. (MD)

In a field dominated almost exclusively by men, successful women administrators in public schools can provide a rich source of information concerning the advantages and disadvantages of being a "female executive." After briefly discussing well-documented internal and external barriers to women's administrative career aspirations, this…

This review of the current status of combined school-public (community) libraries in Vermont acknowledges that, while on the surface the concept appears to be just the answer for many communities with limited funds and other resources, it also raises many questions about the nature of library service to a community. The paper provides: (1) a brief…

The key to an employee-supported evaluation system is involving a significant majority of those affected in the planning process. This article describes the development of a new evaluation system for 200 administrators and supervisiors based on attitude surveys and a large administrator-dominated steering committee. (MLH)

Describes the successful aspects of a three-day workshop on teaching effectiveness for engineering professors. Discusses participants' comments and suggestions about administrative support, communication of fresh insights and perspectives, establishment of a participatory structure, and teaching/learning mismatches. (JJK)

A questionnaire and interviews were used to assess personal and professional characteristics of 97 Canadian college faculty reaching age 65 in 2000-2010. It measured career satisfaction, interest in a career alternatives program, and retirement plans. A significant proportion of respondents found little satisfaction in academe and would consider a…