Merit pay is discussed in three sections, focusing on: (1) an approach to the measurement of the merit of college teachers that avoids much of the subjectivity and potential favoritism that has caused other merit systems to fail, the procedure which evolved over a period of years, and a review of its evolution; (2) results of several surveys of…

Texarkana (Texas) Community College and Texarkana Independent School District left the federal Social Security System (SSS) and reallocated SSS funds to a self-administered fringe benefit program, while also returning employees' SSS contributions to them intact. Several safeguards for Texas employees were already in place through the Texas Teacher…

The Cooperative College Registry was the pioneer venture of a group of committed Protestant denominations in behalf of their related colleges and universities. It spoke to an urgent need created by an imbalanced academic labor market--a severe teacher shortage. It dealt on a nationwide basis with potential teachers, thus increasing visibility of…

Houston (TX) schools have developed an innovative attitude toward the teacher shortage; a magnet high school program encourages and prepares students for careers in education. (MD)

Reasons for the decrease in the number of minority group teachers are the following: (1) low status and salaries; (2) alternative career possibilities; (3) desegregation; (4) teacher competency tests; (5) limited career advancement opportunities; and (6) reduction in government supported programs. Recruitment programs, financial incentives, and…

This paper looks at the three employee benefit items that are most costly for employers--retirement programs, Social Security/Medicare contributions, and major medical insurance coverage--to estimate the costs of these benefits in school districts in the 15 states of the Southern Regional Education Board (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,…

A strategy was developed at Montana State University to ensure future employment for their preservice teacher education students. The emphasis is upon a full utilization of networking and mentoring for the students beginning as freshmen in college. The college suggests a seven-step approach to finding future employment which involves both…

Results of the 1987-1988 survey of benefits, excluding pensions, for 17 Ontario, Canada, universities are presented. Information is provided on the following areas: administration and insurance plans, communication of benefits, proposed changes in benefits, provision of life and dismemberment insurance, maternity leave policy, Ontario health…

Based upon a longitudinal, ethnographic study of a teacher education reform program, this paper examines the social context of, and explores the political implications for, policies and programs designed to recruit, train, and retain high-ability persons in the teaching profession. Through the economic metaphor of investment securities, this paper…

The changing status of female faculty at doctorate-granting universities during 1971-1980 is examined, along with patterns in the wide range of female representation across institutions. The data were drawn from the Higher Education General Information Survey. The percentage of women at all ranks increased 4.1 percent during the decade, from 14.7…

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…

The rapid expansion of Ontario's educational system in the 1960s serves as a base for this study of the current decline in enrollment and its consequences. This paper examines two results of the concentration of manpower in teaching: the need for reduction in force and the potential burden on the retirement system. The author makes several…

Results of a survey of pension plans in Ontario universities are summarized according to type of plan, eligibility, member and university contributions, and benefits. Benefits for normal retirment, early retirement, termination, and death are presented. Death benefits are outlined for before retirement, after retirement, and by model pension…

The author presents the advantages of job sharing for all school personnel, saying that education is particularly adaptable to this new form of employment. Current job sharing programs in Massachusetts, California, and New Jersey schools are briefly discussed. (SJL)

The American Association of University Professors' Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure reports on possible results on faculty salary structure, the tenure system, and retirement options of legislation uncapping the mandatory retirement age of college faculty. Considerations for institutions to make in adjusting personnel policies are…