Utah's involvement with career ladders grew out of the nationwide educational reform movement. The plan was to improve learning by improving the quality of teachers. This could be done by retaining superior teachers, attracting higher quality recruits, and improving teachers' working conditions. In 1984 the Utah Legislature focused on…

In considering the problem of raising the professional stature of the teaching profession, a review is presented of current statistics on: (1) shortages of mathematics and science teachers; (2) declining enrollment in teacher education programs; (3) widening gap in supply and demand for teachers; (4) current and future shortages of teachers; (5)…

Control over content, teaching, and evaluation of social studies is moving outside of the classroom. Organized action is needed to see that teachers do not lose their autonomy. (RM)

This book argues that the redefinition of teaching begins with teachers' developing a positive attitude about themselves as educators. The book offers suggestions to teachers on how to apply positive practices to themselves, move from passive to assertive communication, redefine their approach and build new beliefs, increase student…

Examines strategies for teaching sociology in an international setting using London as an example. Focuses on ways for faculty to integrate resources of a city in another culture into the overseas study curriculum. Discusses shaping courses to fit an international setting, anticipatory socialization of students, and support for faculty. (DK)

This book examines the personal, moral, cultural, and political dimensions of teaching in the context of rapid and far-reaching change within teachers' work and in the world beyond it. The chapters in Part One examine the powerful forces for change in society and how those forces are exerting pressure on existing institutions. Issues such as the…

Researchers investigating the improvement of teaching have given little attention to the nature of teaching--the sort of work it is, how it is learned, and its essential skills and knowledge. Research incorporating the teacher's perspective and experience would be useful in any research analysis with the goal of improving teaching. Reported in…

The purpose of this booklet is to give beginning or first-year teachers in rural Alaskan one- or two-teacher schools some practical, effective, and useful suggestions and guidance in their teaching and living situations. Those individuals who are currently training and studying to be teachers in rural Alaska might also benefit from the…

The results are reported of a survey of teachers of English as a second language (ESL) in five Washington, D.C. metropolitan area university language institutes concerning the working conditions most conducive to job satisfaction. The survey found several weak indicators: style and perceived overall administrative effectiveness of the director;…

Recounts the problems encountered over a period of time in dealing with a particularly difficult and unruly class, and finds that the writing process helped to close the gap between teacher expectations and student apathy. (NKA)

Teachers must play a central role in attempts to reform public education. Teachers are losing control over their work. They must organize, defend schools as institutions essential to maintaining a democracy, and portray themselves as transformative intellectuals who combine scholarly reflection and practice to train students to be responsible…

Describes a study of job satisfaction among 373 elementary teachers in Bedouin schools in southern Israel. Finds that the two most significant job satisfaction factors were teachers' satisfaction with work itself and teachers' satisfaction with social needs. Also finds that female teachers and teachers with higher educational levels were more…

Private school teachers earn less than public school teachers but can cite autonomy, contact with a small and stable student body, participation in policymaking, opportunities for independent study, and attractive facilities as reasons for their preference. Notes that independent schools do not pursue novelty in educational methods or curricular…

While many areas in education are experiencing teacher shortages, the retention of special education teachers in particular is a critical concern in many schools across the nation. Even prior to the developing national teacher shortage, educators were voicing concerns about higher burnout and/or teacher attrition rates in special education as…

Over the past decade, the high number of teachers leaving the profession has been a growing concern among parents, teacher educators, administrators, and policy-makers. While most argue the problem is due to a burgeoning demand and increased numbers of retirements, some researchers propose that the problem of teacher shortages is far more complex.…