This whole thing started this morning reading an article in NJ.com's website, "Should Teacher Tenure Be Eliminated?" As I was reading the comments, someone made an observation that people don't really know what tenure is beyond what is stated by politicians. Being a teacher, I do know what it is, and what it is not. It has infuriated me more than a few times to read what is being said in various places by many about what tenure is. We listen to politicians, recent movies, and media pundits talk about these issues stating their idea of what it is. I was in a local bookstore a few weeks ago, and overheard a man talking to his girlfriend, "You know teacher's have it easy. They have a job for life!"
It occurred to me that the poster from this morning's article is right. People should know exactly according to NJ State Law what tenure is.
The statutes for NJ State Education law are in New Jersey Administrative Code 6A and New Jersey Statute Title 18A.
18A:28-5. Requirements for tenure
".......shall be under tenure during good behavior and efficiency and they shall not be dismissed or reduced in compensation except for inefficiency, incapacity, or conduct unbecoming such a teaching staff member or other just cause and then only in the manner prescribed by subarticle B of article 2 of chapter 6 of this Title......"
The above lines copied from the statute show that it is not a, "job for life" as some would like to assert. What this means in essence is that the burden of proof to remove an ineffective teacher lies in the administration's hands. It is up to them to show documentation that a teacher has shown cause to be removed. The laws are already in place, it is up to those in charge to make sure they are used for their intended purpose.
