Public school teachers deserve a compensation system that puts them on a secure path toward retirement. The severely backloaded structure of today's public school teacher pension systems benefit only a small proportion of entering teachers while putting the rest on an insecure retirement path. But there is a cost-neutral solution to this problem…

A 1979 study of 200 randomly chosen teachers in grades K-12 in southeastern Michigan revealed that the teachers are less satisfied with the quality of their worklives, more fearful of losing their jobs, and more likely to experience problems with their jobs than are U.S. workers nationwide. (Author/WD)

Five major issues will affect higher education faculty members in the 1980s, including faculty participation in academic decisions, the definition of faculty role (as employees or supervisors), job security, career mobility, and faculty skills development. (Author/RW)

Methods to reduce layoffs, encourage natural staff turnover, and quell fear and frustration are unpaid leaves of absence, job sharing, early retirement bonus programs, and aggressive teacher evaluation. Where layoffs have been unavoidable, some school districts have devised placement services. Districts must avoid using layoffs to create turnover.…

A study of Massachusetts teacher contracts and interviews with educators in four districts indicated several factors that can affect the impact of applying seniority agreements when laying off teachers. These factors include the size of the layoff unit, bumping rights, prerequisites for teaching in a second field, and reassignment prerogatives.…