Ten guidelines that may improve staff attendance are: create a written sick leave policy, do not make exceptions, be a good role model, require staff to get their own substitutes, have staff call in personally, monitor patterns in absences, supervise through observation, listen and show concern, greet each person when he or she returns, and reward…

Teacher absenteeism is a growing problem, according to this short guide on reducing absenteeism. The author briefly reviews the research data on absenteeism from national, state, and district sources. She lists the average costs of teacher substitution by district size and the characteristics of both districts and teachers with bad absence…

Techniques that reduced teacher absences from 8.7 to 7.6 per year in the Milwaukee Public Schools are described in this report. The techniques include (1) information, in each new teacher's orientation kit, on the district's attitude toward good attendance, (2) articles about sick leave in the staff bulletin, (3) periodic reminders and training…

Before school districts and administrators' associations begin negotiations, seven proposals that provide the basis upon which adversaries can discuss the proposal's merits must be considered. (1) Establish language that would permit an administrator to teach one period a day (month or week). This proposal allows substitution in the event of…

This news brief presents information on managing substitute teaching. The information is based on issues discussed at a summit meeting which included public school administrators and personnel directors from around the nation. The main topics of concern focused around four core components related to the management of substitute teaching:…

This publication provides a comprehensive review of the research literature on employee absenteeism. Although focusing on the absenteeism of educational personnel, the study also draws on the information available on employee absenteeism outside education--in business, industry, and government service. The major sections of the report provide…

This 15-minute videotape offers a motivational staff development program for teachers. Four segments focus on: (1) preparing for the teacher's absence (e.g., knowing the school's policy and protocol, preparing a safety kit for the substitute teacher, and keeping a box of learning materials available for the substitute); (2) effective learning…

This report makes policy implementers and educators aware of the importance of work attendance and its relation to student outcomes. It also encourages policymakers to better implement and supplement existing policies through different strategy options. The focus is on the Pacific region. Rather than recommending a punitive approach, the report…

Multiple demands and pressures on teachers have increased instructor burnout, a state characterized by boredom, depression, envy, and physical and emotional fatigue. In response to the high incidence of burnout, teachers and professors may use a job diversification approach similar to one used in industry to combat boredom and monotony.…