California has been in the news a lot in the past week due to a controversial decision by their court system smacking down so-called "teacher tenure." It is interesting that a case like this can come to pass and that the rules regarding dismissal of teachers comes under such scrutiny of the mass media and public. The idea that this "tenure" provides teachers a job for life is not really true and many are portraying it that way. In essence, it provides a more stringent set of procedures that must be followed in the case a teacher needs to be investigated to determine his or her quality.
Additionally, Pedro Noguera - professor at NYU - explains in the Wall Street Journal that these protections allow teachers to bring up issues concerning them and their students. Low-income schools generally are underfunded and have fewer materials to support learning - teachers with these protections can share their experiences freely and get the resources their students really need.
One of the main issues discussed in this decision has to do with using test scores of students to evaluate teachers so that the "last in-first out" rule will not longer apply. It is interesting how California is getting on board with this idea even though New York State just postponed its use of tests for evaluation; as did Rhode Island and Washington, DC (a city that spearheaded its use under Michelle Rhee). It would seem that many states are backing away from these tests for evaluation, especially as the Gates Foundation itself suggested doing so.
There are many powers at play here and it seems there is a small shift in the tide for now.
Additionally, Pedro Noguera - professor at NYU - explains in the Wall Street Journal that these protections allow teachers to bring up issues concerning them and their students. Low-income schools generally are underfunded and have fewer materials to support learning - teachers with these protections can share their experiences freely and get the resources their students really need.
One of the main issues discussed in this decision has to do with using test scores of students to evaluate teachers so that the "last in-first out" rule will not longer apply. It is interesting how California is getting on board with this idea even though New York State just postponed its use of tests for evaluation; as did Rhode Island and Washington, DC (a city that spearheaded its use under Michelle Rhee). It would seem that many states are backing away from these tests for evaluation, especially as the Gates Foundation itself suggested doing so.
There are many powers at play here and it seems there is a small shift in the tide for now.
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