A study of the workload of teachers in the central and regional high schools of Newfoundland

Luedicke, Klaus Michael (1974) A study of the workload of teachers in the central and regional high schools of Newfoundland. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine: (a) the effect that a teacher's sex and marital status, years of teaching experience, years of training, subject field, size of school, and average daily number of student contacts have on the workload of Central and Regional High School teachers in Newfoundland; (b) the views that teachers hold toward their actual teacher workload; (c) the teachers' estimation of a desirable workload and the recommendations of teachers for implementing the desired workload. Three time intervals were used when calculating a teacher's workload: the five-day week, the two-day weekend, and the seven-day week. -- Data for the study was obtained through a questionnaire prepared by the investigator. Of the three hundred questionnaires sent to teachers, a net usable return of 66.7 percent was received. -- An analysis of the data revealed that a teacher's sex and marital status, subject field, and average daily student contact have an influence on a teacher's total workload, as well as on some components comprising a teacher's workload. On the other hand, a teacher's years of teaching experience, years of training, and size of school have little or no effect on a teacher's total workload, or on the various components comprising a teacher's workload. -- Considerable dissatisfaction was expressed by teachers toward their actual workload. They sought time provision during the regular school day for preparation and marking, a reduced classroom instruction load, a decrease in the student-teacher ratio, a reasonable quantity of different subjects/courses taught by a teacher and the virtual elimination of non-professional tasks. -- The findings further indicated that teachers desired a total workload of 38.75 hours in a seven-day week, as compared to an actual seven-day week workload of 43.83 hours. To implement the desired workload, seventy-five recommendations directed primarily toward local school administration, school boards, and the Department of Education were given. Approximately one-half of the recommendations were within the control or influence of the local school to implement. A reduction in the student-teacher ratio and the employment of teacher aides were the most often cited recommendations for implementing the desired workload. It was apparent in the study that teachers seek to have their occupation "professionalized". In part, this means being relieved of mundane tasks so that more time can be devoted to planning and carrying out their work for students.

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