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Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Schwarzenegger Takes on Teacher Tenure
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Is Arnold a fool to mess with teacher tenure? According to this story, his popularity has declined since announcing a special election.
On the ballot: limits on state spending, redrawn legislative and congressional districts, and changes in tenure for public school teachers. He doesn’t want to eliminate tenure, just award it to teachers after five years instead of two.
Still, just the term “teacher tenure” could be risky.
In Georgia, former democratic Gov. Roy Barnes abolished what was referred to as “teacher tenure,” though a more accurate description might be job protection or right to a due process hearing. He was booted from office after just one term.
Sure, other factors came into play, namely the overwhelming victories of Republicans all over. But teacher tenure seems politically dicey. After all, teachers vote. They also tend to feel underpaid and underappreciated.
Should they be afforded some type of job protection?
