Abstracts of dissertations and monographs in microform.

Administrative practices do affect teacher morale, according to a study conducted by Phi Delta Kappa. This handbook describes the study and its findings, presents a review of the relevant literature, and proposes specific methods administrators can use to improve staff morale. The book's first chapter describes the study's objectives: to identify the characteristics of school systems successful in achieving or maintaining high morale, to identify instruments useful for morale evaluation, and to produce a handbook of useful practices. The chapter also describes the study methodology, which involved a literature review, a survey of 315 schools nationally, case studies of 10 selected schools, and analysis of the findings. The second chapter examines and synthesizes information from the literature review. Chapter 3 compares high morale schools with low morale schools. The fourth chapter provides an action plan for administrators that takes into account the relationship between morale and leadership, interpersonal relationships, rewards, workload, control mechanisms, professional development opportunities, and other factors. A diagnostic instrument for assessing leaders' strengths and weaknesses is provided in the fifth chapter, and the sixth presents 12 brief rules for administrators. References and an additional assessment tool are also supplied. (PGD)