Advisor

Carol Burden

Date of Award

1990

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership: Administration

Department

Educational Leadership and Policy

Physical Description

3, xii, 248 leaves: ill. 28 cm.

Subjects

School employees, Job satisfaction

DOI

10.15760/etd.1271

Abstract

This study examined the sources of job satisfaction and dissatisfaction for classified employees in a large public suburban school district. The population included randomly-selected bus drivers, custodians, school and non-school secretarial employees, instructional assistants, maintenance workers, food service personnel and technical employees. Three research questions were posed: (a) What are the primary sources of job satisfaction and dissatisfaction for classified employees? (b) Is there a significant difference in job satisfaction among the specific categories of classified employees? (c) Are demographic/personal variables of classified employees related to overall job satisfaction? The study incorporated both qualitative and quantitative methodology. Focus groups were convened to identify satisfiers and dissatisfiers, which then served as a basis for questionnaire development.Sixty-four individuals participated in focus group discussions; 490 questionnaires were returned for a response rate of 78%. The self-designed questionnaire contained 100 job variables, including a single direct question of overall satisfaction. The assessment also included twelve demographic/personal variables and two open-ended questions. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA, ANCOVA, the Chi square test, multiple regression, and paired comparisons. The primary job satisfiers for all classified employees were: co-workers, students, work itself, work variety, autonomy, and work schedule. Dissatisfiers were: work overload, district policies, and job insecurity. There was a significant difference in job satisfaction among employee groups. There was also a significant difference in job satisfaction for the demographic variables of gender, work setting, and number of hours worked, even after the influence of job category was eliminated. The research suggests that there are issues which influence the job satisfaction of classified employees. In their quest for excellence, school district administrators, and business leaders, alike, can benefit from listening to the needs and recommendations of their support personnel.

Description

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Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/4491

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