We Need to Screen Our Teachers Better!

[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.

[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

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by Kevin

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.

But if you have a strong union, schools can't just "not renew" a contract without following seniority rules. Here, the only teachers that can be non-renewed are the ones with the least seniority. Nothing else matters unless they follow very strict procedures with disciplinary actions.