[ebaines]

Seems to me to be a positive development:

California teacher tenure law unconstitutional

This is not to say that teacher's aren't deserving of good pay, fairness in evaluations and promotion opportunities, etc - just as any other worker should be. But they should not be entitled to special job protections above and beyond what other workers have. All the arguments I've seen that public school teachers need "special protection" could just as easily be made by anybody in any other profession.

[smoothy]

I completely agree with you. If they lost that I think the quiality of education would increase if they became accountable for the quality of their work, like everyone else is.

[ebaines]

And just to be clear - this is all about how to get rid of individual incompetent employees (and we all know they exist). It's about the 5% or so of public school teachers (maybe less) that under no circumstance would you ever want teaching your child.

[smoothy]

I don't think its as low as 5% or less based on the teachers I knew in school... but its not the majority for sure. It would definitely provide incentive for the lower performing ones to step up their game to save their own jobs. Just like underperformers anyplace else.

A guaranteed job for life offers NO incentive for anyone to do their best at all times.

[Catsmine]

I have to agree with Smoothy; I would put the percentage of time servers in the teens. Good teachers deserve more than principals or winning coaches. Having to haul the deadwood along with them holds the entire profession back.

[ballengerb1]

If a good teacher should make more than a principal why would any yeacher want to become a principal? I agrree, the current system is not good but it was created at a time when it was neded. It has outlived its purpose.

[Catsmine]

Agreed. Much the same can be said for most trade unions as well.

[smoothy]

Not all trade unions will back up a member who is not pulling their own weight or doing their job... I've seen several people fired and I got my own job because another was fired... the union didn't back up any of them because of what they did in one case... and the fact that despite several warnings a few of the others continued until they were fired. And we are talking one of the most recognised labor union names out there in the ones I speak of.

And trust me... I'm no defender of labor unions.

[catonsville]

Hmm, there may be hope for good education after all.

[speechlesstx]

Now if we can just end tenure period.

[ballengerb1]

I doubt if it will be done away with but it can be altered. When I started teaching in 1970 tenure took 2 years. Now it takes 4 years and a teacher can be released without cause during the first 3 years. If an administrator can't spot a poor teacher in 3 years then the administrator needs to be retrained or replaced.

[ebaines]

If an administrator can't spot a poor teacher in 3 years then the administrator needs to be retrained or replaced.

Yes, unless of course that administrator has tenure... (just kidding). What you're suggesting is that a teacher's performance at age 50 can be perfectly predicted by his or her performance at age 25. But over time things can change - I've had to let go employees with 20 years experience who had been highly rated earlier in their careers. To maintain a strong organization all workers must realize that they must strive for continual improvement in performance, and if they stop being valuable employees they may have to seek alternate employment.

[catonsville]

Yes, unless of course that administrator has tenure... (just kidding). What you're suggesting is that a teacher's performance at age 50 can be perfectly predicted by his or her performance at age 25. But over time things can change - I've had to let go employees with 20 years experience who had been highly rated earlier in their careers. To maintain a strong organization all workers must realize that they must strive for continual improvement in performance, and if they stop being valuable employees they may have to seek alternate employment.

Did you give them a "Gold Watch"? Just kidding.

[smoothy]

I'm guessing a simulated leather boot.

[paraclete]

Just give them a contract