Policy discussions about teacher quality and teacher "shortages" often focus on recruitment and retention of young teachers. However, attention has begun to focus on the incentive effects of teacher retirement benefit systems, particularly given their rising costs and the large unfunded liabilities. In this paper we analyze accrual of…

There is significant interest in reforming retirement plans for public school employees, particularly in light of current market conditions. This paper presents an overview of the various types of state regulation of public pension plans that affect possibilities for reform. Several states have legal protections that effectively prevent a state…

There is significant interest in reforming retirement plans for public school employees, particularly in light of current market conditions. This article presents an overview of the various types of state regulation of public pension plans that affect possibilities for reform. Nearly all of the various approaches to public pension plan protection…

Proceedings of a 1980 Brown University conference on faculty retirement are presented. Papers and authors are as follows: "A Review of Current Legal Status and National Policy Issues" (Laura C. Ford); "Mandatory Retirement Age Legislation for Tenured Faculty: The Policy Issues and Their Context" (W. Lee Hansen);…

State and federal accountability systems are pressuring public schools to improve the performance of low-achieving students. To respond, schools must be able to recruit and retain high-quality teachers, strengthen curricula, and take other steps to provide struggling students with the help they need. But such efforts are expensive and, as the…

This fourth edition of the "ES Review" brings together, in one setting, some of the best work from 2009-10. It features: (1) Teacher Quality (Teachers at Work: Improving Teacher Quality Through School Design (Elena Silva); Understanding Teachers Contracts (Andrew J. Rotherham); How Teachers Unions Lost the Media (Richard Whitmire and…

This 31st annual research report presents a record of State education association legislative goals, the extent of their realization, and important school laws passed. Coverage is for 29 States in which educational legislation was considered. Subjects include (1) school finance, (2) salaries, (3) tenure and contracts, (4) certification, (5) leaves…

This 32nd annual research report presents a record of the legislation State education associations worked for, the extent of their success, and significant school laws enacted in 1967. Coverage is for 46 States and the District of Columbia, all of which considered educational legislation during this period. Subjects include (1) school finance, (2)…

This report on State school legislation in an 8-month period in 1968 contains a list of the major legislative achievements and defeats as identified by 31 State NEA affiliates. The list is followed by a State-by-State listing of the association goals, the extent to which they were realized, and significant school laws passed, grouped under 18…

This handbook explains the legal principles underlying the Illinois public education system, thereby providing teachers, administrators, and school board members with an understanding of the nature of the public school as a social and governmental institution. It also considers the legal status of Illinois teachers by defining their rights,…