We Need to Screen Our Teachers Better!

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by RU OX Alum

really? That doesn't make sense.

That's true here too. They do not have to be certified teachers in charter schools. They are the same as private schools that way.

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by oncegreek

The KHOU news report indicated that this occurred in a CHARTER school, not a regular public school. Charter school teachers are not required to hold teaching credentials, in California, anyway. They must be enrolled in a credential program, however. I wonder if this teacher in Houston had any sort of training in education. I also wonder if Texas does background checks on all teachers. (California requires this)

Teachers in Texas have to be fingerprinted and background checked. When I was getting my teacher's license in Tennessee, they ran an FBI check on me.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by LaneSig

Teachers in Texas have to be fingerprinted and background checked. When I was getting my teacher's license in Tennessee, they ran an FBI check on me.

Even those who work in charter schools? That's only true of public school teachers here.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by AGDee

Even those who work in charter schools? That's only true of public school teachers here.

My wife works at a charter school, had to do the FBI/Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation background check.

[Kevlar281]

Originally Posted by oncegreek

The KHOU news report indicated that this occurred in a CHARTER school, not a regular public school. Charter school teachers are not required to hold teaching credentials, in California, anyway. They must be enrolled in a credential program, however. I wonder if this teacher in Houston had any sort of training in education. I also wonder if Texas does background checks on all teachers. (California requires this)

A Harris County charter school teacher caught on video beating up a student last month could face criminal charges, but she will not lose her teaching certificate.

That's because Sheri Lynn Davis, 40, doesn't have one.

As a science teacher at a charter school, she didn't need to be certified. Texas law requires charter schools to hire certified teachers only in the areas of bilingual and special education.

Link: To Full Article

[ASUADPi]

I don't care how frustrated I am with my students, the thought of actually slapping them would never happen. Now I will admit that when I taught high school sped and I was cussed out everyday, OMG I wanted to beat the shit out of some of those kids, but of course I never did. I'm not going to risk my job, my safety or my certificate. Instead I ended up quitting.

Violence is never the answer, if the teacher was in fact trying to "protect" another student, there was definately a better way to handle the situation.

Arizona also doesn't require teachers to be certified to teach in a charter school.

Now, someone made a comment that that is why they don't like charter schools (because the teacher isn't certified), I'm sorry just because you're certified (i.e. you can pass college courses and pass a state test and pay the state money to certify you) doesn't mean you are a GOOD TEACHER! I've worked with plenty of CERTIFIED teachers that were just horrible teachers! Anyone can pass undergraduate classes and a test.

[laylo]

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

Now, someone made a comment that that is why they don't like charter schools (because the teacher isn't certified), I'm sorry just because you're certified (i.e. you can pass college courses and pass a state test and pay the state money to certify you) doesn't mean you are a GOOD TEACHER! I've worked with plenty of CERTIFIED teachers that were just horrible teachers! Anyone can pass undergraduate classes and a test.

Thank you! The idea that district school teachers have more accountability or are held to any kind of higher standard than charter school teachers is the biggest joke I ever heard. Charter school teachers may not need to be certified in every state, but we're the ones without any union safeguards against incompetency--if we don't perform we will be fired, plain and simple.

[ASUADPi]

Originally Posted by laylo

Thank you! The idea that district school teachers have more accountability or are held to any kind of higher standard than charter school teachers is the biggest joke I ever heard. Charter school teachers may not need to be certified in every state, but we're the ones without any union safeguards against incompetency--if we don't perform we will be fired, plain and simple.

That's AZ for all teachers. AZ is a right to work state. The union is just a "grace" districts give to teachers. It has no authority, no power. Nada, zip, zilch.

Charters schools still have to perform, at least in AZ. They have to take the state test. They will get the state label. I'm not sure if they do AYP or not though. So it's not like charter schools don't have accountability, if anyone says they don't, well they are just ignorant.

As for incompetent teachers, some people just interview really well, but when they get into the classroom they are incompetent.

[GeorgiaRose]

Texas is also a "right to work" state. Teachers (and others) can be fired at any time without`any reason given.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaRose

Teachers (and others) can be fired at any time without`any reason given.

That is not true. There MUST be documentation in order for a teacher to be fired. A teacher can't be fired 'just because' there must always be a reason.

[DaemonSeid]

epchick, you are fired from Greek Chat

[epchick]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

epchick, you are fired from Greek Chat

Say what? shoooooot, I'll get the Federation on you! lol

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by epchick

Say what? shoooooot, I'll get the Federation on you! lol

Careful -- you're too close to Arizona to say things like that lol

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaRose

Texas is also a "right to work" state. Teachers (and others) can be fired at any time without`any reason given.

Right to work typically deals with union membership being non-compulsory. Has nothing to do with at will employment. And public employees, which teacher are, are entitled to due process and termination procedures just like other public employees.

What usually happens with non-tenured teachers is that the school simply doesn't renew their contract (which is generally a year to year proposition).

Tenure might vary in Texas and they might not have it like they do in Oklahoma, but those due process guarantees can't be done away with by state law.

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

epchick, you are fired from Greek Chat