[edi581] More on tenure
- From: JerryTaylr@xxxxxxx
- To: undisclosed-recipients: ;
- Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2003 19:59:12 EST
There seems to be no shortage of opinions about tenure these days.
Unfortunately, many of these opinions are based on misinformation and
half-truths. The
current system of tenure, and the due process protections it affords
teachers, is just as important today as it was when the law was originally
passed.
One term that is currently being widely discussed is "renewable tenure."
Let's make one thing very clear. There is really no such thing! The proposed
laws being advocated by those seeking "fundamental education reform" is nothing
more than "permanent probation" and is a dangerous concept. It is not too
difficult to envision what the system they advocate would do to our schools.
Experienced teachers with advanced degrees and credits would routinely be
denied
tenure renewal by community-elected Boards of Education (which can easily
become dominated by extremists) so they could be replaced by lower-paid
individuals.
Unfortunately, those who advocate the abolition of our current tenure law
continue to mislead the public by claiming the law prohibits the disciplining
and/or removal of incompetent teachers. Clearly the law does no such thing.
The
tenure law permits school boards to hire new teachers and place them on
probation for THREE FULL YEARS! During this time, these new teachers can be
terminated at any time for virtually ANY reason. Based on a 180-day school
year and
a five-period teaching day for teachers, by the end of their probationary
period these individuals will have taught almost 2,700 classes. It seems to me
that over such a long period of time, and with so many opportunities to observe
actual classroom instruction, school administrators would be able to make
competent tenure recommendations to the school board concerning probationary
appointees.
Contrary to popular opinion, receiving tenure from a school board does NOT
mean that teachers are guaranteed a lifetime job despite poor performance. In
New York, for example, State Law #3020A merely establishes a procedure to
provide due process for a teacher charged with incompetence, insubordination,
etc.
It does NOT prevent the teacher from being dismissed!
Some say that tenure is an outmoded concept that, while perhaps necessary in
"the old days," is no longer needed. I find it inconceivable that anyone
could think this way. In fact, it is needed now more than ever. There was a
time
when parents were very supportive of teachers and school officials, and
students actually feared having the teacher call home to mom and dad. Today,
however, the tables have turned and increasingly it is the students who are in
control. It is not difficult to imagine a teacher being denied tenure
"renewal"
because she is a "tough grader" or a "strict disciplinarian" or because she had
an "incident" with the child of some politically-connected or otherwise
influential parents.
Elected school board members who are dependent on the support of voters
(parents) would surely be tempted to vote against tenure renewals for teachers
on
someone's "hit list." Higher paid teachers would also be a tempting target for
school boards looking to reduce costs. The longer the career, the more
"enemies" a teacher would accumulate and the less likely their tenure would be
"renewed." How would it benefit the education of students to have the most
experienced teachers (who also happen to make the most money) denied tenure
renewal
because board members want to reduce costs?
Teachers continue to become embroiled in controversies concerning censorship
issues, attacks from both the right and left of the political spectrum,
episodes regarding union and political activities, etc. Teachers who were
erroneously accused of some misdeed by students and/or parents could easily
have their
careers destroyed by a lack of due process protection.
Millions of government workers and private industry employees have the same
or similar protections to prevent employer abuses and dismissal over false,
emotionally driven or trumped-up allegations. It's just not called "tenure"!!
An occupation which centers around children and the daily evaluation of their
work demands reasonable due process protections to prevent unfair dismissals.
Jerry Taylor
Technology Integration Teacher
Greece, NY School District
Web page: http://www.jerrytaylor.net
TASK page: http://www.greece.k12.ny.us/task/
(based on an article written by John J. Flanagan, N.Y. State Assemblyman, 9th
District)
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Class website: http://www.greece.k12.ny.us/taylor/suny/
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