This article describes the creation and implementation of a faculty interest group for historically underrepresented faculty at a large, urban community college in the Northeast. Faculty interest groups provide opportunities for faculty across disciplines to meet to explore common interests and share concerns and best practices. The faculty…

Two articles are presented in this column. "Life in an Auto Factory: Simulating how Labor and Management Interact" by Eric B. Freedman describes a classroom simulation of management and labor relations in an auto factory. Classroom handouts are included. The next article, "Women of Action and County Names: Mary Musgrove County--Why…

This report presents the most recent salary and benefits data available for the U.S. child care workforce. Median level child care salaries are compared to the median salaries of other occupations. In addition, data for average wages of preschool teachers and child care workers are presented for each state, with information on wages available by…

This report presents the most recent salary and benefits data available for the U.S. child care workforce. Mean and median level child care salaries are compared to the median salaries of other occupations. In addition, data for average wages of preschool teachers and child care workers are presented for each state, with information on wages…

One of three companion reports on the results of a survey on merit pay and incentive plans, this publication focuses on programs for school administrators. The data in the studies, presented largely in table form, are reported separately by four school system enrollment groups (large, medium, small, and very small) and by eight geographic regions.…

One of three companion reports on the results of a survey on merit pay and incentive plans, this publication focuses on programs for school support staff. The data in the studies, presented largely in table form, are reported separately by four school system enrollment groups (large, medium, small, and very small) and by eight geographic regions.…

Management by Objectives (MBO) has been found to be a useful means of conducting performance appraisals for professional employees. It is also an effective process for individual and organizational goal-setting and planning. Compensation systems may also be related to the MBO process. This paper addresses the concepts underlying MBO and its…

Outlines factors that led to success and to failure in merit pay programs for administrators. Briefly describes merit pay programs in several school districts. (IRT)

Low compensation, in both earnings and benefits, and the resulting high turnover of staff and low quality of programs in early childhood care and education are a national problem. Noting that how we define and view the problem, and the strategies we adopt to solve it, may differ depending on perspectives and disciplines, this paper expands the…

Noting that wages for child care workers are among the lowest in the U.S. labor force and that generally caregivers are offered few employee benefits, this paper summarizes proposals and programs in the 50 states and the District of Columbia to raise child care worker compensation. The paper classifies state-level initiatives into two categories:…

The University of California San Diego replaced its manual staff merit-increase-recommendation process with an online computer program to reduce workloads and improve the quality of the final recommendations. The highly successful system has been enthusiastically embraced by the campus community and recognized by the National Association of…

North Dakota State University has adopted automated timekeeping to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of payroll processing. The microcomputer-based system accurately records and computes employee time, tracks labor distribution, accommodates complex labor policies and company pay practices, provides automatic data processing and reporting,…

A University of Florida instructional improvement program includes these features: competitive awards in the form of base faculty salary increases, three-year cycle for competition, focus on undergraduate teaching, and use of measures of both quantity (contact/credit hours) and quality (portfolios) of instruction. The program evolved from a…

After discussing the controversies surrounding attempts at "external" performance contracting--agreements negotiated between local educational authorities and private educational firms--this document describes five "local" programs--agreements negotiated between a local educational authority and its own teachers--involving nine school districts.…

Describes creative responses of six colleges and universities to the information-technology personnel shortage, salary differentials with marketplace, recruitment and retention difficulties, and the need to support institution-wide technology growth. Institutions include: Alamo Community College District (Texas); Texas A&M University; Wake…