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,…

Educational policy and practice has resided and continues to reside at the vortex of social and political strife in South Africa, as in the United States. Although school poverty and inequities among schools in the U.S. pale in comparison to conditions in South Africa, the two nations have much in common, including histories of state-sanctioned…

Although teacher unions promote private means of resolving labor conflicts instead of using public courts, they are engaged in a war on privatization, especially contracting out. It is surprising that the media and higher education take seriously the contention that unions do not negatively affect educational achievement. Advocates of "the…

"Faculty Salary Systems in Independent Schools"(1983) was a study of trends and patterns found in nine independent schools during l982-83. The present document is a follow-up report, based on additional information gathered from seven salary seminars held for representatives of independent schools throughout the United States during…

Examination of college faculty salaries across disciplines suggests that the traditional academic wage scale is increasingly stressed by academic labor market forces. This trend has implications for faculty morale and commitment, turnover, faculty encouragement of students to pursue academic careers, and the relationship of the reward system to…

Five myths about teachers' attitudes regarding merit pay are discussed. The first myth, "Teachers favor merit pay," contrasts with several findings from studies and surveys which indicate that teachers generally do not favor merit pay. Myth number two, "Money is a motivator--more money produces more work," is also argued against with the help of…

Whining about not being treated as professionals buys teachers little respect. Teaching is hard work, but confers some plush benefits, while discouraging voluntary self-improvement efforts. The notion that pay should be commensurate with work is a noble delusion. Nannies and mothers are also underpaid. (MLH)

This report examines how Head Start programs have implemented teacher salary increases mandated and funded by the 1990 Head Start Expansion and Quality Improvement Act. It is based on quantitative data found in local grantees' and delegate agencies' reports to the Head Start Bureau on salaries and related questions, as well as qualitative data…

Discusses and criticizes the findings of the National Commission on Excellence in Education. The commission believes that educational standards must be raised and that our fundamental goal should be to develop the talents of all to the fullest. But enforcement of these recommendations involves a revolution in American values. (CS)

The current trend toward academic gamesmanship, characterized by interinstitutional competition for faculty, gives the general public a superficial notion of academic excellence, deceives higher education supporters, deprives undergraduates of teaching that they are paying higher prices to receive, and gauges success by ephemeral standards.…

This document records the proceedings of a conference on the effects of collective bargaining on school administrative leadership. The conference brought together participants from two areas of research that usually operate independently--research on collective bargaining and research on school administrative leadership. The conference was divided…

Cited are incidents of violence in public schools. The author suggests a "get tough" policy and that involving parents and community agencies in schools can be an effective solution to violence in the schools. (KC)

Most teachers are satisfied with most aspects of their jobs. Results from a number of national surveys on teacher satisfaction are presented. Specific aspects of job satisfaction discussed are salaries, status, working conditions, and employment outlook. (IAH)

Describes a study conducted on third-year teachers in Catholic elementary schools. Identifies problems with satisfaction, including poor salaries and benefits, and the lack of autonomy and decision-making power within the school system. Urges schools to build a sense of community among teachers and administrators to help increase teacher retention…

Efforts to reform education in France include proposed changes in teacher education and the teaching profession that are met with a range of responses from skepticism to hostility. The reactions leave the government little room for movement. (MSE)