PROP. 74 PRO: BEST TEACHERS DON'T NEED FAST TENURE THAT PROTECTS WORST.Byline: Harrison Sheppard Sacramento Bureau SACRAMENTO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (German pronunciation (IPA): [ˈaɐ̯nɔlt ˈaloɪ̯s ˈʃvaɐ̯ʦənˌʔɛɡɐ] believes Proposition 74, to increase the time before teachers gain tenure, would give school officials more opportunity to evaluate beginning teachers to ensure quality education in California The California education system consists of a full range of public and private schools in California, from the University of California system, to well-known private colleges, to an extensive network of secondary and primary education schools. . ``Proposition 74 is important because it will help ensure that a highly qualified teacher is in each classroom by enabling school boards to dismiss teachers with a track record of low performance,'' said Margaret Fortune, an education adviser to the governor who heads his pro-74 campaign. Under the current state Education Code, a teacher with permanent status can be fired only for one of 11 specified reasons, including immoral or unprofessional conduct, a felony conviction, unsatisfactory performance, consistent refusal to obey state and local education laws and regulations, and membership in the Communist Party Communist party, in China Communist party, in China, ruling party of the world's most populous nation since 1949 and most important Communist party in the world since the disintegration of the USSR in 1991. . A teacher fired for one of these reasons has the right to an appeals process with representation by a teachers union. Proposition 74 also would allow a teacher to be fired if the teacher receives two consecutive unsatisfactory evaluations. Within 30 days of receiving notice, the teacher could still request an administrative hearing administrative hearing n. a hearing before any governmental agency or before an administrative law judge. Such hearings can range from simple arguments to what amounts to a trial. There is no jury, but the agency or the administrative law judge will make a ruling. to appeal the dismissal. The measure is supported by some major business and taxpayer groups, such as the California Chamber of Commerce and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association helped sponsor Proposition 13, the property tax-cutting initiative in California in 1978 which slashed property taxes by fifty-seven percent and initiated a national tax revolt. It was founded by California republican Howard Jarvis. , as well as the California Republican Party The California Republican Party is the California affiliate of the national Republican Party. Its chairman is Ron Nehring and is based in Burbank, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. . The measure is strongly opposed by most of the state's teacher unions, although some individual teachers have supported the governor's plan. Lillian Perry, a 33-year teacher now in the Fontana Unified School District Located in a fast-growing community 50 miles east of Los Angles, the Fontana Unified School Districts serves most of the city of Fontana. The district contains 45 schools which serve students from pre-k to adult education in a diverse urban environment. , said she supports the measure because she thinks tenure serves to protect bad teachers. ``I'd give tenure up today just to prove my point,'' said Perry, who is volunteering to help the pro-74 campaign. ``It does nothing for my pay scale or expertise. All it does is gives me permanence and makes it difficult for my district or principal to get me out. They'd have to pay me off to get me out, and that means I can do anything. ``I would rather know that I am being rehired every year or offered a contract every year because I'm good.'' Harrison Sheppard, (916)446-6723 harrison.sheppard(at)dailynews.com PROPOSITION 74 FACTS Public school teacher probation and employment status What it does: Increases the time from two to five years for teachers in kindergarten through 12th grade to receive permanent status. Permanent status affords teachers protections and appeal rights in firings and other disciplinary actions. Key supporters: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, California Chamber of Commerce, Karla Jones (2004 Educator of the Year, Orange County), California Republican Party. Key opponents: California Teachers Association The California Teachers Association (CTA), initially established in 1863 as the California Educational Society, is by far the largest teachers' union in the state of California. It is considered by many to be the most powerful union in California. , Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, California Democratic Party The California Democratic Party is the local branch of the Democratic Party in the state of California. It is presently chaired by former State Senator Arthur Torres. It is the majority party in both chambers of the state Legislature, i.e. the State Assembly and the Senate. . Fiscal Impact: The state Legislative Analyst's Office says it's unknown and will vary by individual districts' personnel practices. Web sites: www.joinarnold.com, www.betterca.com, www.ss.ca.gov. CAPTION(S): box Box: PROPOSITION 74 (see text) |
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