Teacher tenure reform (United States)

Teacher tenure is a policy that restricts the ability to fire teachers, requiring a "just cause" rationale for firing. The individual states each have established their own tenure systems. Tenure provides teachers with protections by making it difficult to fire teachers who earn tenure. Many states are focusing on tenure reform. Revisions would be made so that the tenure system no longer functions the same way as the existing tenure system functions.

Tenure has been a controversial issue for some time. However, lately reforming or eliminating teacher tenure has become a pressing issue covered vastly by the media. Many politicians are actively voicing their opinions on tenure. Many states have new plans for their tenure system. There are many different reforms which are trying to be passed by legislation. It is hard to get reforms passed because one side of the debate must give up something every time a proposal is made. Some argue tenure is no longer necessary and that it is hurting America's education system. Others argue tenure provides vital protections for teachers. While each state has its own specifics for how teacher tenure works, most hold a similar form. Each new teacher is given a probation period (probation periods vary among states). During this probation period, teachers must prove they are worthy of receiving tenure. They must prove that they are having a positive effect on their students using a teacher evaluation system, which includes information from several facets of a teacher's responsibilities. Some common facets are classroom observations, student growth, and self-reflection (see, for example, New Haven and the state of Virginia ).

Take a look at New Jersey's tenure system as an example. Currently under New Jersey's tenure system, a teacher is placed on probation for three years during which time the teacher is evaluated using a system called AchieveNJ. During or after these three years, the principal must decide if the school will grant tenure to this teacher. If so, the teacher will be asked to work there for a fourth year and will be granted tenure. The principal is able to fire a teacher at any time during the probation period. However, once a teacher is tenured, the principal can no longer fire a teacher without just cause. The teacher is then protected by tenure. There are four reasons a teacher may be fired in New Jersey once they are tenured. The reasons include: incapacity, inefficiency, unbecoming conduct and just cause. A teacher being fired for any of these reasons is given a chance to defend their case.

Tenure was created to provide teachers with protections. The exact beginning point of tenure is debatable. Many do not fully agree why or when tenure was created. From the very beginning, tenure was controversial. Some say the fight for these protections started around the 1920s. Women dominated the teaching profession at this time. Massachusetts was the first state to introduce teacher tenure back in 1886, as the early beginnings of the progressive movement swept across the country. http://teachertenure.procon.org/ A long time ago, teachers were subject to rules which impeded on basic rights. For example, teachers were told what time they should be home, which activities they should engage in, who they could associate with, etc. Teachers were often fired for breaking these ridiculous rules. Teachers came together to gain protections against such rules. They wanted their own rules which ensured they wouldn't be fired for no reason. Teacher unions were not yet formed. They were in the process of being formed. Others argue that tenure was started to protect professors from losing academic freedom. Wealthy industrialists started writing and undermining professors. Tenure was created to ensure professors would be able to write freely. It angers many people that the reason why tenure was developed is not clear. There is no one event or exact time when tenure was created. Many argue there is no reason to keep a tenure system that had no real foundation for being started.

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