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.
Well first thing first, I am not a big CC fan, But he raises a good point about giving teacher's a 5 year contract and then re-evaluate them again to see if they are good enough to remain in their position. Unfortunatley their are some teacher's, principals and superindents at least in my hometown who do or DID not deserve to have the postion the have or HAD. But the tenorship protected them. Time and time again parents as well as other staff memebers complained about these certain people and brought it to the board and (though some tried) majority of the board voted to keep these people in for whatever reason. I really don't know the logistics of it. But with that said like most people who work they don't have tenorship. If they continously do something wrong they will instantly get fired. Now if CC take away the tenor with the teacher's still have Union? Sorry if that's a silly question I am just not familiar with all of this and I wondering if CC takes tenor away can the Union still try and protect the teacher IF RIGHTFULLY NEEDED...Thanks
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