Opponents call this the “blame teachers act”. But I have yet to hear any arguments against this proposal. It’s simple and a no-brainer. I think the reason that I haven’t heard a single coherent argument against it (other than to call it names) is because there is no valid argument against it.
Say what you will about whether this bill should be a priority for our state (I agree that it doesn’t seem like a very pressing issue), the fact is that it is on the ballot, and it’s a good measure.
Here is the link to the official Proposition 74.
The bill makes the following true:
1) Delays tenure from two years to five years.
2) Modifies the dismissal process for tenured teachers such that if a teacher gets two consecutive unsatisfactory performance evaluations, the school board can dismiss the teacher.
Thats it.
The only thing wrong with this bill is that it doesn’t abolish tenure altogether. I don’t think our teachers need to be coddled. Despite that, the bill is solid forward progress, and protects all Californian taxpayers from having to pay ineffective employees. Now, how could Warren Beatty or any other democrat claim this is a “fire teachers” bill? The teacher needs to get back to back failing reviews in order for this to be even possible. There is no corporation in America that tolerates bad performers like this, so why should the state?
I think the Democrats are just against anything Schwarzenegger proposes – not because the bill is bad – but because they want to attack him. Politics sucks.
Vote yes on this one.