WSJ Article: Teacher Seniority Rules Challenged

[ProgressiveProfessor]

Teacher seniority rules are meeting resistance from government officials and parents as a wave of layoffs is hitting public schools and driving newer teachers out of classrooms.

In a majority of the country's school districts, teacher layoffs are handled on a "last in, first out" basis. Critics of seniority rules worry that many effective and talented teachers who have been hired in recent years will lose their jobs.

Unions say that seniority rules are the only objective way to carry out layoffs, and that they protect teachers from the whims and bias of managers, who might fire effective teachers they don't like.

More at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703315004575073561669221720.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_careerjournal
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Not that this could not be seen coming

[roguevalley]

1. the unspoken assumption that all the older teachers aren't energetic

or talented fries my ass.

[tonysam]

2. They wouldn't last that long if they weren't good, in general.

It's nothing but a bullshit excuse for age discrimination.

Given the fact too many principals are total assholes, they can't be trusted to do the right thing and therefore there MUST be a seniority system in place.

People who believe otherwise don't begin to understand the filthy politics that goes on in public education.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. I've said this for years

The same people who hire these 'ineffective teachers' are supposed to be trusted to decide who gets fired?

:rofl:

[ihatecharters]

9. Amen

Isn't this a direct reflection on their competence related to hiring. You bet. If they are unable to hire talent what makes them think are capable of evaluating talent? The hubris.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. Welcome to DU

:hi:

[Catshrink]

4. It's about money: the "20-20" plan

Hire "kids" in their 20's and pay them in the 20's while "retiring" senior teachers to free up payroll. That experience comes with a price. OTOH, losing that experience will have a different price, albeit of a different kind.

[YvonneCa]

5. Age discrimination already exists. If seniority goes...

...age discrimination will increase. It's the only way districts can afford the financial cuts they are being forced to make. As a casuality of this mess, I think they will get rid of seniority rules...but I sure don't think it's right.

[tonysam]

6. They don't even have to do that.

Districts like WCSD simply have buyouts of senior teachers. Meanwhile the kids get screwed over.

[YvonneCa]

7. I would have preferred a buyout to bullying. n/t

[tonysam]

8. Or being wrongfully fired to save the district money. n/t

[YvonneCa]

11. It was ALL about the money...

...tonysam. That's what I was told by those 'in the know.' They are right. Keep reminding yourself of that when it hurts. :hug: I'd be right where you are if the stress hadn't made me sick.

At least now...retired...I feel GREAT! :)