Job satisfaction of secondary social studies teachers in Connecticut urban school districts

by

Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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Abstract

Professional school social studies teachers in a Connecticut urban districts public Secondary school expressed overall job satisfaction in their current positions, as well as satisfaction with each of the job dimensions as measured by a modified version of the MSQ. Additionally, almost 70% of participants indicated that they planned to remain in the profession of Secondary school counseling.

Job satisfaction has traditionally been investigated in order to increase productivity among employees. During the past several years, this researcher has noticed a decline in secondary social studies teachers' job satisfaction in one Connecticut urban school district. Although both the state and federal governments mandate a social studies curriculum in all public schools, social studies content tends to be ignored by school administration, due to the fact that social studies content knowledge does not appear on any standardized state test; primarily the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) and the Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT). According to these results, Secondary school social studies teachers in Connecticut urban districts are having a positive experience in their present jobs.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER # 1: INTRODUCTION1

Statement of the Problem2

Purpose of the study3

Research Questions3

Significance of the Study4

Professional School Social studies teachers4

School Board Personnel and Principals5

Definition of Terms6

Limitations of the Study8

Organization of the Study9

CHAPTER # 2: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE10

Content Theories12

Maslow's Motivational Content Theory16

Maslow's hierarchy of needs17

Motivation and the Hierarchy of Needs18

Using the theory of Maslow to the Office19

Criticism of the theory of Maslow20

Acquired needs theory D. McClelland21

Porter and Lawler's Managerial and Performance Theory24

Herzberg's Hygiene-Motivation Theory (2 factor theory of motivation)27

Process Theories29

Determinants of Job Satisfaction32

Measurement of Job Satisfaction38

Job Satisfaction of Professional School Social studies teachers41

Role Conflict45

Administrative Policies and Practices54

Professional Secondary School Social studies teachers56

Connecticut urban districts Professional Elementary School Social studies teachers58

Summary58

CHAPTER # 3: METHODOLOGY60

Instrumentation61

Individual InFormation Form61

Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ)62

Reliability64

Validity64

Data Collection67

Pre-letter67

Initial Mailing67

First Follow-up68

Second Follow-up68

Nonresponse68

Statistical Analysis69

Summary70

CHAPTER # 4: RESULTS OF THE STUDY71

Survey Responses71

Demographic Data73

Age73

Gender74

Race75

Membership in Professional Organizations75

Testing Coordinator75

Clinical Supervision76

Years of Experience76

Number of Secondary School Social studies teachers in the Division76

Number of Schools Served77

Number of Secondary School Social studies teachers in the School78

Student Caseload78

Degree Status78

School Counseling Licensure79

Contract Length81

Salary81

School Population Receiving Free or Reduced Lunch81

Remain in Current Profession83

Administrative Position85

Current Political Climate88

Current Social Climate89

Impediments to the Preferred Role and Function of the Job91

Supports to the Preferred Role and Function of the Job95

Other Factors Contributing to Job Satisfaction97

Overall Job Satisfaction97

Job Satisfaction among Secondary School Social studies teachers98

Levels of Overall Job Satisfaction100

Dimensions of Job Satisfaction100

Job Satisfaction and Demographic Variables103

Comparisons of Overall Job Satisfaction Levels104

Summary104

CHAPTER # 5: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS106

Review of Research Questions106

Summary of the Results107

Discussion112

Overall Job Satisfaction112

Job Satisfaction ...