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SOME OF AMERICA'S BEST TEACHERS ARE BEING FIRED (2483 hits)

In school, having a great teacher is the single most important factor in determining a student's success. Giving America's kids the best education in the world is only possible with the best teachers in the world.

States are being forced to make major cuts in education, with 45 states and the District of Columbia predicting huge budget shortfalls totaling $125 billion. And with these cuts our nation is at risk of losing some of our brightest, most effective teachers.

Right now in schools across the country, the last teacher hired has to be the first teacher fired, regardless of how good they are. A teacher's performance plays no role in who stays and who goes. This policy, based on seniority rather than effectiveness, is referred to as LIFO (Last In, First Out) -- and it is crippling our schools.

That's why we've launched the Save Great Teachers Campaign. Watch our video to learn more and pledge to get involved now:

http://studentsfirst.org/saveteachersvideo

We can't afford to pull highly effective teachers out of America's classrooms. This is just the beginning of a very important campaign. In the next few weeks, we will ask you to take specific actions to engage with your legislators. We need your help to save great teachers.

Thanks,

Michelle

Michelle Rhee
CEO and Founder
StudentsFirst

Posted By: Siebra Muhammad
Wednesday, February 23rd 2011 at 3:30PM
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Hey Siebra:

I have to respectfully disagree with you on this one.

Seniority layoffs are reasonable and legitimate. Senior teachers have one thing young teachers do not--experience. They have been through the ringer and know how to succeed.

Here is some data. In New York City, according to the NYC Department of Education, fully 40% of the newly hired teachers do not remain in the teaching for profession for 3 years.

IMagine the consequences of laying off a senior teacher who has certainly survived all kinds of professional situations--and now he or she is gone in favor of a yougner teacher who is highly likely to walk out the door very soon.

It is how a school shoots itself in the foot.

Experienced teachers are the backbone of a school.

Base retention and layoffs on merit? Sounds like a terific idea. The problem comes in when we talk about the method for determining merit. If a school board can come up with an effective and accurate way to measure it, then it will certainly be a serious consideration. But judging a teacher's performance by student test scores alone is totally bogus and unfair.

It would be much better to focus on supporting teachers and giving them the resources they need to be successful rather than figuring out ways to lay them off.

Wednesday, February 23rd 2011 at 8:47PM
Richard Kigel

Great point!
Thursday, February 24th 2011 at 10:46AM
Siebra Muhammad

Well I come from a corporate background where success depends on performance. I think the same could be said of the public education system. Success depends on performance. And that is what we demand of the students. And if we can measure a student's performance, we can measure a teacher's performance.
Thursday, February 24th 2011 at 12:10PM
Steve Williams

Mom you hit the nail on the head...you would be surprised to discover how many parents I meet up with do not know the names of their child's teachers...and to add insult to injury...some of those same parents don't even know the name of their child's principal...
Thursday, February 24th 2011 at 4:19PM
Siebra Muhammad

And some of those parents don't even know the name of their superintendent...but can tell you the name of every character on the Young and the Restless...

Mom, speaking of the Young and the Restless, what's going on with Sophia and Neil (LOL)?
Friday, February 25th 2011 at 12:52PM
Siebra Muhammad

THIS will only stop when we realize that each of us is our own community...our schools are in our community...and playing th victim, pointing th efinger of blame every place and on everyone but the community itself for being responsiable for things like this has never done any thing to help make our educational system any better is the problem not the teachers. (NUP!!!)

HOw many parents even know the names, educational back grounds of those who teach their children or even take the time to go sit in any class so they can know first hand of what they speak in teh first place???????????????????? !! ???(nup)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA

@mY BEAUTIFUL ALMOST PERFECT DAUGHTER...as I tend to always try to go on facts...

the fact is that doers are too busy DOING to waste their precious time and energy only sitting around complaining. lol (smile)

@Rich it is just too bad we can not clone you for our state's public schools. (otfl) (smile)

and, I am sure th epublic is paying close attention to those students coming out to protect their teachers from being made victims of a failed system from Wisconsin and being followed by so many other states lately and long too, too over due. (smile)

OUT OF THEM OUTHS OF BABES...
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA