Panelists answered the following: Do you agree with a judge’s conclusion that the teacher tenure system is unconstitutional because it discriminates against minority and low-income students? Mary Zanger: “No. Providing equality of opportunity is the problem in low tax base school districts like Hollister. Low tax base districts enter students with little pre-school or early childhood education and have less libraries, computers, and resources. Similarly the parents with less education and language skills need remedial help also. These schools need teachers with tenure skills. Tenure is necessary to protect teachers who might teach how injustices like lack of jobs, poor housing, and low wages affect their students.”
Panelists answered the following: Do you agree with a judge’s conclusion that the teacher tenure system is unconstitutional because it discriminates against minority and low-income students?
Mary Zanger: “No. Providing equality of opportunity is the problem in low tax base school districts like Hollister. Low tax base districts enter students with little pre-school or early childhood education and have less libraries, computers, and resources. Similarly the parents with less education and language skills need remedial help also. These schools need teachers with tenure skills. Tenure is necessary to protect teachers who might teach how injustices like lack of jobs, poor housing, and low wages affect their students.”
Ruth Erickson: “In California, a teacher can earn tenure after only 18 months. Just because a person is well-versed in their subject doesn’t mean they can teach it! There are some teachers just cruising along waiting to retire and are completely out of touch with the youth of today, yet there are young and eager teachers who can connect with the students but are often the ‘last to be hired, first to be fired’ during budget cuts. It can take two to 10 years to fire an ineffective teacher and cost $50,000 to $450,000 or more. In most jobs, professional or unskilled, employees are judged on their work performance for promotions or dismissals, yet teachers can earn lifetime tenure regardless of their level of competence. Unfortunately, schools in poorer areas are at a disadvantage with many ineffective teachers. The plaintiffs are nine students, but the ruling will be decided by nine people who have lifetime tenure, the State Supreme Court. Does that make this case a conflict of interest in this teacher tenure case?”
Marty Richman: “No, I believe that this ruling will be overturned on appeal. The real question is why should families have to file lawsuits to get competent instruction? It’s amazing how this threat has already moved the unions to discuss reform; where have they been? Eighteen months to get a lifetime of tenure is preposterous as are the artificial barriers for dismissing teachers who are either incompetent and so dangerous the schools dare not let them near a pupil. Just remember, the unions represent the teachers, not the students, and they will always put teachers first – that is what they are paid to do.”
