This brief article summarizes five trends and issues discussed during a moderated panel and round table discussion at the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) Symposium on Experiential Education Research (SEER) in November 2023. The aim of this session was to expand on prior documented trends and disseminate current experiential and…

Summarizes the rules governing Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 403 (b) annuity plans and IRC section 427 deferred compensation plans. On balance, the burdensome annual form 550 filing requirement of 403 (b) plans seems more than offset by the disadvantages and increased responsibility associated with 427 plans. (MLH)

Briefly reviews different types of tax-deferred annuities (TDA's) and describes the National Education Association's TDA Studies--comparative analyses of specific fixed, variable, and qualified mutual fund annuity packages. (PGD)

Purpose: To develop a comprehensive model of professional characteristics of an educator that will prepare them for high standards of professional achievements, as all professions demand standardization and formulation of guidelines in today's competitive environment. Design/methodology/approach: Literature on essentials of an educator was sourced…

Presented is a plan used to pay teachers for extracurricular duties based on a point system. The plan is teacher-developed and helps ensure fairness in evaluating extracurricular compensation. Included is a description of the point system. (MD)

Three possible motivators for college teachers (individual economic interest, academic virtue, and academic honor) suggest mechanisms that can be used to improve performance. Policies need to address all three motivators; economic levers alone may undermine alternative ways of supporting good work. (MSE)

Discusses merit pay as a school improvement idea, focusing on drawbacks of providing monetary incentives for superior teachers. Before jumping on the merit pay bandwagon, superintendents are advised to consider school purpose, alternative or equally effective reward systems, financial implications, and fairness of merit ratings. (MLH)

A survey conducted by the National Center for Education Information has found that teachers earn 7 dollars more per day than other workers with 4-year college degrees. Representatives of the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers take issue with a number of the survey's conclusions. (IW)

Survey responses of 382 school districts from 43 states provide a database about administrative positions, with full-time teachers as a comparison point, in the areas of base salaries, bonuses, benefits, and perquisites. (MLF)

Presents a series of recommendations for the successful organization of visits by authors of children's books to school libraries or gatherings of teachers and librarians. Identifying an author's publisher, arranging a visit, purchasing books, scheduling activities, and costs and accommodations are discussed. (JL)

Tenured and probationary faculty at a midwestern state university were asked to complete a questionnaire containing 21 merit-pay-related questions and five biographic-status questions. The typical faculty member preferred: (1) that 40% of their annual salary increment be allocated to merit; (2) that this merit component be controlled by their…

A total of 396 districts responded from all 50 states and the District of Columbia to this survey about administrative positions, with full-time teachers as a comparison point, in the areas of base salaries, bonuses, benefits, and perquisites. (MLF)

This book is a summary in a readings format of what the author has learned about strategic-reward systems. The collected material draws heavily on empirical research to guide the author's conclusions. The book contains 26 articles, which are divided into 10 topical areas: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Pay and the Changing Business Context"; (3) "Pay in…

The reward structure in higher education is reviewed, followed by a discussion of the way it is viewed and the terms in which it is discussed outside as well as inside the profession. The reward structure in foreign language departments is then examined. (Contains 86 references.) (LB)

Describes the efforts of two educational institutions to reward teaching excellence using positive feedback rather than merit pay incentives. An Arizona district, drawing on Herzberg's motivation theories, offers highly individualized rewards ranging from computers to conference money, while an Illinois community college bestows engraved plaques…