This report compiles results of studies conducted in American Samoa, Chuuk, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawai'i, Kosrae, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, Pohnpei, and Yap. It was conducted in the 1996-97 school year by Pacific Resources for Education and Learning in close collaboration with…

The mission of Pacific Resources for Education and Learning includes maintaining cultural literacy and strengthening educational programs for American-affiliated Pacific Islanders. On islands where no substitute teacher pool is available, students' educational opportunities may be seriously compromised. Policymakers and program managers in all 10…

Absenteeism of 130 direct-care staff in a residential facility for developmentally disabled persons was reduced by 27 percent through positive reinforcement for reliable attendance and punishment (progressive discipline) for attendance abuse. Reduced absenteeism was maintained for 12 months and overtime was reduced, but staff turnover increased.…

Lists ways in which school districts enable teacher absenteeism and how these practices can be remedied. Includes limiting personal days, sick-leave provisions, and conference leave. (MLF)

A study conducted in private industry (n=383) found that while flexible work arrangements and child care arrangements were not related to employee absences due to child care difficulties, employee demographic attributes, particularly age and gender, were. Both demographic factors and needs-reward match did account for some variation in job…

Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a situation in which at lease 15-20 percent of a building's occupants exhibit physical symptoms in a pattern that is linked to the building in which they work. Describes health effect, factors and causes of SBS, implications for risk management, and precautions school officials should take. (MLF)

A study at an urban university found that, while type of child care used by classified staff was not a significant predictor of absenteeism, care by nonrelatives was associated with significantly more absences than was care by relatives. However, satisfaction with care was a significant predictor of absenteeism. (MSE)

Discusses an examination of teacher stress, job satisfaction, absenteeism, career intention, career commitment, and self-image among secondary school teachers in Malta. Concludes that teachers who reported greater stress were less satisfied with teaching, more frequently absent, more likely to leave teaching, and less likely to reenter the field.…

Disabilities and illnesses are becoming an increasing problem for all employers. To understand the problems unique to schools, 76 elementary and middle school principals were surveyed and indepth interviews were conducted with over a dozen of them. Nearly 70 percent reported that, over the past 2 years, they had between 1 and 5 teachers absent for…

This news brief presents information on managing substitute teaching. The information is based on issues discussed at a summit meeting which included public school administrators and personnel directors from around the nation. The main topics of concern focused around four core components related to the management of substitute teaching:…

This pamphlet explores how universities must integrate the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) with existing institutional leave policies and how universities can harmonize the requirements of the FMLA with other federal mandates, particularly the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). First, basic FMLA concepts are discussed, including…

This 15-minute videotape offers a motivational staff development program for teachers. Four segments focus on: (1) preparing for the teacher's absence (e.g., knowing the school's policy and protocol, preparing a safety kit for the substitute teacher, and keeping a box of learning materials available for the substitute); (2) effective learning…

This research synthesis reviews the negative effects of teacher stress, focusing on teachers in the U.S.-affiliated Pacific. It describes teaching techniques for reducing these detrimental effects and discusses the relevance of such techniques within the cultures of the Pacific region. Section 1 describes what stress is. Section 2 examines the…

This report makes policy implementers and educators aware of the importance of work attendance and its relation to student outcomes. It also encourages policymakers to better implement and supplement existing policies through different strategy options. The focus is on the Pacific region. Rather than recommending a punitive approach, the report…

Designed for a working person or one who soon plans to enter the world of work, this handbook and its companion instructor's guide are about keeping a job and getting ahead. Based on research into what employers actually look for in the people who succeed or fail, this handbook is designed to develop critical job survival skills, increase…