A review of the major studies of administrative behavior introduces this consideration of what features of administrative agencies, either in structure or patterns of organization, have been associated with their successful operation. The theories of interorganizational relations reviewed include the political economy approach, the organization…

Collective bargaining contracts with teachers unions have reduced principals' autonomy but have still left them opportunities for effective administration of their schools. Interviews with 289 educators in six diverse school districts across the country show that contracts have limited principals' powers both from above, by centralizing labor…

Several important issues relating to teachers and labor relations stood out in 1977-78. By the end of the year, a proposed merger between the two major teacher unions appeared remote. The National Education Association (NEA) added 100,000 members in 1977. The NEA lobbied in favor of legislation creating a separate Department of Education but the…

This study involved the identification of factors associated with major organizational changes in public schools as affected by collective bargaining. The goal was to replicate Whyte's 1951 study of private sector organizational change to determine whether similar patterns existed in public sector organizational behavior. The study used Whyte's…

The instructor's manual for a four to five day course designed to assist public sector managers in attaining a stable and productive labor relations environment is intended for use with two other books, the Reference Materials and the Case Materials. The course, created principally for use in a formal classroom setting, can be adapted to suit the…

This report presents the findings of a study that examined how contracts between school districts and teacher organizations affect curriculum and instruction and how school board members and teacher leaders view the negotiation of curriculum and instruction matters. To gather data for the study, the authors first examined teacher contracts in 28…

The correspondence course in supervision is designed for adults interested in self development who hope either immediately or ultimately to assume supervisory responsibilities. Each of the 10 chapters contains an introduction, a statement of what should be learned from the chapter, written course material in paragraph and outline form, and a…

This publication presents a model public employee collective bargaining law that is intended to aid educational administrators in securing the passage of collective bargaining legislation that protects administrators' management prerogatives while safeguarding the legitimate representational rights of public employees. The model law is written to…

A survey of day care needs of M.I.T. employees, its resulting information, and a description of the pilot program of day care services undertaken by M.I.T. are included in this report. A survey was administered to all 4,650 Institute employees in April, 1970, and enjoyed a 35% rate of response. The compiled data supports the conclusion that a…

A 1968-1971 labor-management-rehabilitation (LMR) project revealed rehabilitation gaps in health benefit plans, instances where formal job security was based on the contractual principles of seniority and ability and general lack of retraining and education provisions for disabled employees who sought new jobs. The investigators sought to find…

This is the second of a 2-volume final report of a 20-month research and development project conducted by the Michigan State Employment Service agency and a private research firm. The purpose of the project was to design and test innovative methods for increasing the volume and quality of jobs listed with the employment service. Included are: (1)…

Discusses economic and legal issues related to declining public school enrollments and pressures for "reduction in force" (RIF) of teachers. Reviews developments involving RIF cases in New Jersey and Yonkers, New York. Recommends school boards not agree to contracts that limit their ability to lay off personnel for economic reasons. (JG)

A union leader relates his experience with the Toledo, Ohio, plan for identifying and dismissing incompetent teachers. Principals and supervisors resisted the peer review system at first, but later changed their minds because of its success. (TE)

In this activity, secondary history students study Canadian economic history during the 1914-1919 period and analyze information to resolve the question "What were the motives of the leaders of the Winnipeg general strike?" (RM)

Discusses (1) a Michigan court decision concerning reverse discrimination and voluntary affirmative action policies; (2) the Massachusetts Supreme Court's rejection of the work-to-rule strategy; and (3) an Arkansas law that will allow teachers failing a basic skills and literacy test to be fired only when their state certification expires. (MLF)