NY Governor Andrew Cuomo is introducing legislation to speed the implementation of a statewide system to evaluate teachers' performance. He wants to introduce new standards for teacher and principal evaluation with the support of the teacher's unions. New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg feels it is not enough - he wants the state to change the laws regarding seniority now so that he does not have to fire teachers based on the last in - first out rules currently in place. State Republican lawmakers favor Mayor Mike's proposal, while Democrats feel that new teacher evaluation procedures need to be in place before last in - first out can be removed. (I know this isn't really ed tech specific, but I couldn't resist posting it because it is such a hot topic and affects us as teachers and parents - sorry!)
- Do you think Mayor Mike should be allowed to fire teachers based on performance and disciplinary records, without considering seniority?
- Do you agree with Governor Cuomo that we need to have a new evaluation system in place before we get rid of seniority?
- Do you think tenure for teachers is going to become a thing of the past? How does removing tenure affect issues like nepotism or budget concerns?
I truly think tenure is going bye bye! I understand why Bloomberg wants to change the law about last hired first fired, but I don't think his motives are because he wants the best and the brightest... I think he wants the cheapest! I agree that there will be some wonderful teachers that will be fired (some of which are my friends) but I also think that Govenor Cuomo is correct in changing the evauluation of teachers before taking the next step. The way nyc teachers were being evaluated is unclear and who knows if Bloomberg would just have the highest paid teachers fired. This can't just be done overnight. An assessment should be created with the help of teachers, adminstrators, parents, etc. so that everyone can be satisfied. I'm just so tired of being the villan...
ReplyDeleteI absolutely think that Mayor Mike is right in the sense that teachers should be gone based on disciplinary and performance records without seniority being put in effect. I think seniority is a bunch of crap. Just because someone has been there for a while doesn't mean they are better than someone with 2 years expiernce. I agree that another plan needs to be put in place like Cuomo says. I feel that tenure can exsist after three years (like currently) but then every 2 years after, they need to be re-evaluated to make sure that they don't use tenure as a security blanket and just coast for the next 17+ years! I think the idea of tenure will still be in place but like your First Aide certification needs to be updated so should your teaching!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Alanna! This idea of letting teachers go based on performance sounds like a moral idea however it will eventually come down to personnel cuts based on salary. I have many friends who are young teachers who are excited that they may be keeping their jobs after all, but at what price. Their jobs may be safe for now, but if their ambitious attitude keeps up and they head up the salary ladder a little too fast they may be next. The problem is that this is all going to effect the students. Getting rid of teachers that are no good should happen, but what happens if a group of students do not like your teaching methods? Are you the next one out the door? Are we giving students too much power over personnel? If we are getting rid of tenure we need to make sure that terminating a teacher is still done for the right reasons.
ReplyDeleteBecause I'm not a teacher I don't know exactly how teachers in that position would feel. But I think that a person who has tenure and senority might teach as well as a teacher who has been there only a year or so or you could have teachers that are bad with senority and with those that have been there for a year or so.
ReplyDeleteDo you think Mayor Mike should be allowed to fire teachers based on performance and disciplinary records, without considering seniority? There has to be a system in place but how and who and why will be the hard part. Removing tenure teachers especially if they are effective teachers could have a huge impact.
That might help in the budget area but it will have a bigger impact on the students I think.
Last-in first-out is garbage. Some teachers that have been around for years have teaching methods that may be outdated and no longer effectively engage the students. However, Alanna and Allison are right about the performance evaluations. This allows districts to cut spending by getting rid of teachers who have been around for years with high salaries and keeping newer teachers at the bottom of the salary chain. What is most unfortunate is that all these cuts must be made in education. Education, a field where we are ultimately shaping the future of our country in how well we can educate our students and help them develop into model U.S. citizens. However, once again I think this proves how undervalued education is in America.
ReplyDelete