10.2190/FVMN-98FA-05KF-BFLB FVMN98FA05KFBFLB 0 TEACHER UNIONISM: FACTORS THAT MOTIVATE MEMBERSHIP 20020509 20020509 20020509 20020509 http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=FVMN98FA05KFBFLB 2 WILLIAM F. BOULTER, REX L. LEONARD, AND HAMPTON S. WILLIAMS The relationship of staff development needs of teachers with the type of school district, levels of assignment, school district size, and teaching experience was examined. Three-hundred and twenty-two teachers responded to the <em>Staff Development Needs Assessment for Effective Schools</em> instrument which measured perceived staff development needs according to each of the fifteen competencies as stated by the Mississippi State Department of Education. There was a significant composite relationship between each of the fifteen criterion variables of teacher-perceived staff development needs and the combined set of predictor variables. There were significant differences among the types of school districts in the areas of techniques, classroom organization, enthusiasm for subject taught, and helping pupils gain a positive self-concept. There was also a significant difference among the levels of assignment in the areas of reinforcing and encouraging pupil performance. There was a significant independent relationship between each of the criterion variables of teacher-perceived staff development needs and teaching experience.