Greene and Dalgleish: What Parents Need to Know About Teacher Tenure

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1. George Paolacci says:

   July 19, 2014 at 8:13 am

   I remember all those things shown in the cartoon from my wife’s 33 years as a teacher.

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2. teachingeconomist says:

   July 19, 2014 at 9:20 am

   In California at least it was not a multi-year evaluation process but a year and a half long process. Is that the shortest in the country?

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   • teachingeconomist says:

     July 19, 2014 at 9:26 am

     A little digging and I think I have found the answer: Hawaii and Mississippi are reported to award tenure in a year according to this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-merrow/teacher-tenure-debate_b_800732.html . Is that up to date?

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   • English Teacher in California says:

     July 19, 2014 at 7:50 pm

     This was a”gift” to us from the legislature to make up for not giving teachers raises – it had been three years (it is still described as two, although deadlines and early start calendars may shorten the time. Guess who can fix that?

     I’d also like to note that California just passed AB 215, a bill to streamline the dismissal process for teachers accused of egregious offenses.

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3. MathVale says:

   July 19, 2014 at 11:32 am

   If tenure is true due process, then it should be enshrined in law from day one for all American workers in every occupation. Due process is a very American belief. If you are fired, it should be for a reason and with fair hearing. Why Reformers despise American ideals is troubling. While we are at it, add golden parachutes that executives enjoy.

   Here in Ohio, the four teachers who reported sickening and serious problems at the Gulen schools are now being attacked by the Ohio Department of Education. FitzGerald, the former FBI agent and candidate opposing Gov. Kasich, has called for an independent investigation. Sandy Theis, Democratic strategist, reported on Columbus on the Record (July 11) of lawmakers in high positions (possibly future House speakers) receiving trips to Turkey and troubling Gulen lobbying. FitzGerald has called for Dr. Ross, State Superintendent, to resign. Sen. Peggy Lehner (R), the education committee chair, does appear to be taking the situation seriously. The FBI is involved along with FCC and U.S. DOE.

   In short, Ohio is a mess.

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4. changemaker says:

   July 19, 2014 at 2:44 pm

   In California receiving tenure is a two-year process (it used to be three). Teachers in their first or second year have to be told by March 15 whether or not they will return the following year. The union cannot help them during these first two years, and, in fact, no cause can be given for being let go because then the beginning teacher can attempt to show evidence that they didn’t do the things they were let go for or did do the things the principal said they didn’t do. Therefore, when I was a principal, I let people go their first and second year for insubordination, having affairs that disrupted the educational process, total disrespect, classes that ran wild, etc. In all cases, the beginning teacher acted flabbergasted to be dismissed, but neither I nor their union could explain, not that I felt an explanation should be necessary. When tenured people neglected children (not sending up kids for diabetic medication when the teacher had signed the health agreement, and worse) even a write-up warning brought the “big-gun” union in to make me back down. Unfortunately, I found that teachers who behave this way are in the poorest schools in low-achieving areas, and after my experience, I agree with the Vergara decision whereas in all my years of classroom teaching, I would not have.

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5. pculliton says:

   July 19, 2014 at 3:06 pm

   Yes, Greene’s explanation is effective; however, he has two grammatical errors in the last paragraph. Unless these are corrected, I wouldn’t direct people to his piece.

   Reply