School Process and Teacher Job Satisfaction at Alternative Schools: A Multilevel Study Using SASS 2007–08 Data

Abstract

This study examined the associations between public alternative schools’ teacher job satisfaction and school processes. Based on a multilevel analysis of the national School and Staffing Survey 2007–08 data, we found that among the seven school processes, public alternative schools’ administrative support, staff collegiality, career and working condition, and positive student behavior had positive associations with teacher job satisfaction. More importantly, we noticed that higher level factors (e.g., administrative/resource support from school level or above) presented more impacts on teacher job satisfaction. Other factors’ impacts on teacher job satisfaction and relevant implications were discussed as well.