Three-year teacher tenure policy could be eliminated
English teacher Jan Kamide is unhappy with the current system.
Governor Bob McDonnell is pushing for vast K-12 education reforms that will affect teachers if his proposal is passed. One of his controversial reforms is to get rid of the tenure system, which is a contract that is implemented in Virginia schools.
It keeps teachers from getting fired if they have worked for three years. The tenure system also works in conjunction with the teacher review system, where teachers are evaluated based upon the success of their students.
By getting rid of the tenure system all together, McDonnell argues that it will get rid of lousy teachers. McDonnell asserts that the current tenure system in Virginia protects bad teachers and said that his proposals are meant to keep keep the successful and effective teachers and principals in schools.
McDonnell proposes a one-year review period for teachers, this would take away the job security most teachers in the current system are used to.
“I think they should evaluate based on both systems – on a yearly and tri-annual basis. There are safeguards in both systems, I’ve done both and I don’t see much of a difference,” Principal Vincent Randazzo said.
Tenure is based on experience and performance and is reviewed every three years based upon teachers’ performance and depending on the evaluation, pay is also determined by the number of years a teacher has worked. Along with tenure, teachers sign a contract with the county where they work which keeps them from leaving midway through the year. However, if McDonnell’s proposal is passed the contract would be invalid and teachers would be able to leave if they were to get another job offer.
“This is a major issue that gets ideological, it is a political red-herring,” IB Geography and Theory of Knowledge teacher John Hawes said.
It would also be more feasible for administrators to let go of teachers if there was a one-year evaluation period.
“I just think it’s another example of teachers being treated as the enemy. Everything directed at improving education is directed at teachers,” English teacher Jan Kamide said, “We already have to secure advanced degrees, we are required to supplement our training continuously and at our own own expense.” It is Kamide’s first year teaching at AHS, but she has been a teacher for a total of 10 years.
There are additional K-12 proposals, such as the reduced number of diplomas offered to students from seven to three. He proposed to create an advisory committee to help those applying to charter schools and the establishment of a path for licensure for online teachers and accrediting virtual schools. McDonnell also wants to have the opportunity for students to participate in dual enrollment where they are able to work towards an associate’s degree while in high school. An undetermined amount of funds will be allocated for third and fourth graders who are having issues with reading. In addition, businesses will be given tax credits if they donate to scholarship funds and the creation of a pilot program for ninth and tenth grade students to provide lessons on leadership and preventative health care. If the proposals are accepted by the general assembly, the changes will come into effect during the 2013-2014 school year.
