Morale of Teachers of the Visually Handicapped: Implications for Administrators

Abstract

The Purdue Teacher Opinionaire (PTO) was used to determine the morale of 238 teachers of the visually handicapped (VH) teachers. No significant differences in total scores were found in the total sample of VH teachers and the various subgroups when compared to the morale of regular education teachers, although some significant differences were found in subfactor scores. In general VH teachers in the high morale group, compared to those in the low morale group, were older; had more teaching experience; had higher salaries; lived in a small city; felt appreciated by administrators, parents, and students; and worked for administrators who exercised democratic leadship and who supervised the teachers frequently. Factors contributing to satisfaction and dissatisfaction are presented, as are implications for practice and recommendations for further research.