A Times investigation finds the process so arduous that many principals don't even try, except in the very worst cases. Jettisoning a teacher solely because he or she can't teach is rare. Full Story »
Posted by Derek Hawkins
It's hard to sum up the range of obscenity this story exposes. This is exemplary investigative journalism. The reporting is responsible and transparent, and factual evidence is balanced well with anecdotes that illustrate the problem at the core of the investigation. All parties are given ample opportunity for comment. A must read for educators, parents.
The vast majority of firings stem from blatant misconduct, including sexual abuse, other immoral or illegal behavior, insubordination or repeated violation of rules such as ... More »
The Times reviewed every case on record in the last 15 years in which a tenured employee was fired by a California school district and formally contested the decision ... More »
Outstanding investigation into the LAUSD's severe problems terminating teachers who cannot teach or have committed dangerous and/or criminal behavior in the classroom. An eye-opening, in-depth, and carefully researched report. Powerful -- hopefully, the publication of this article will prompt some much-needed change in the district.
The article seems to selectively report the worst horror stories in a tabloid fashion, rather than fairly evaluating the real problems. How can bright motivated teachers be recruited for mediocre pay and long hours? How can burned out or poor teachers be counseled out of the profession and given schooling for a new profession? Why are teachers' colleges graduation poor teachers? How can the system be changed to allow very limited numbers of firings with exemptions from the judicial process? How can class sizes be reduced so discipline is easier and instruction can be individuated?
Having been involved with parents trying to remove a teacher who maintained discipline with putdowns and verbal abuse of third graders, I have experience with how hard it is to remove a teacher. But demonizing all teachers and unions is crap journalism.
The article does discuss an educational problem. But it rambles a lot. And notes that part of the difficulty lies with school administrators preparation, as well as with the procedures involved. It does not go into how much of the delays in firing result from backlogged court dockets. Nor does it question how some of the teachers got tenure in the first place (how long did it take supervisors to discover that a teacher couldn't follow a lesson plan?).
A lot of administrators were promoted out of the classroom without any particular administrative training. And too often teaching is not a profession that attracts the best and the brightest to begin with - schools often have to settle for a warm body rather than an inspired personality - and then the warm body gets tenure.
How can a publication like the Los Angeles Times, that was known for years as producing solid journalistic endeavors and contained on of the best sports pages anywhere in America, (Jim Murray, Alan Malamud (sp) and others), produce such a half-baked one-sided faux-expose? Why is the Times seemingly in bed with Superintendent Cortines, who only wants to assign blame to teachers for the district's utter failure to graduate children, (50%) pass solid numbers of literate children who can write and critically read, and be fiscally solvent ? Further, there is no mention of administrators who have embezzeled, lied, cheated, even some who committed lewd acts with children and been reassigned elsewhere; never ever bothered to monitor ... More »
Good investigative reporting. Focus is on one aspect of the current problems in American public education. Does not try to cover all the ills of the system. Just one.
The writer explored various aspects of this particular education reform issue. It is helpful to read the opinions of numerous individuals involved, as well as learn about different cases going through the LAUSD system.
please look at the forum on the waterloo illinois TOPIX look under help me stop him/ bully teacher, it speaks to todays highschool. i look forward to hearing from you
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