A comparison of characteristics and procedures used in Idaho school district ESP pay structures with a model ESP pay structure

Problem. The problem of this study was to compare educational support personnel (ESP) pay structures used in Idaho school districts with a model ESP pay structure developed from characteristics and procedures identified from the literature.;Procedures. A model was developed around the following characteristics: (1) internal equity, (2) employee participation, and (3) compliance with employment laws. The compensation procedures of (1) job analysis, (2) job evaluation, and (3) pay structures were employed to develop the desired characteristics.;A survey instrument was designed to gather data from Idaho districts on the use of these characteristics and procedures in ESP pay structure development.;Both the model and the survey instrument were validated through interaction with an expert panel.;Conclusions. There were seven conclusions drawn concerning Idaho school districts and compensation methods and practices. They were: (1) The majority of Idaho school districts have not prepared ESP pay structures supporting internal equity. (2) Idaho school districts implement a variety of job evaluation methods. (3) Personnel managers in Idaho school districts appear to need additional information on job evaluation methods. (4) A minority of Idaho school districts have allowed for employee participation in ESP pay structure development. (5) Idaho school district administrators retain a centralized control over ESP pay structures. (6) A majority of Idaho school districts do not appear to have met compliance with the employment law of equal pay for equal work, by providing structures that define differences in pay levels. (7) The three characteristics and four procedures identified from the literature as a model ESP pay structure are not present in the majority of Idaho school district ESP structures.;Recommendations. It was recommended that: (1) Idaho school district compensation managers should review and evaluate the ESP pay structures in use in their districts. (2) Educational support personnel (ESP) should be involved in the review processes and subsequent development procedures for ESP pay structures. (3) Idaho school district personnel should review employment laws and regulations pertaining to ESP compensation. (4) Further study should be initiated in the area of ESP compensation and each of the characteristics, i.e., internal equity, employee participation, and compliance to the laws. (5) Educational support personnel studies should be expanded to larger populations such as regional and national studies.