Senate passes sweeping changes to teacher tenure
This story has been updated
The Michigan Senate passed a series of bills with dramatic changes to teacher tenure that could see a teacher with three consecutive years of poor reviews dismissed, according to a report in The Grand Rapids Press.
The bills were sent back to the House of Representatives after the Senate's action for concurrence and have no been sent to Gov. Rick Snyder to be signed into law.
The bills extend the time it takes teachers to be awarded tenure from 4 to 5 years and would end the practice commonly known as "last in, first out," which means the teachers hired last would be the first to be laid off.
All teachers would be evaluated on an annual basis, with student growth taking on an added importance to the evaluation process. A panel set up by Snyder will likely set the standards for growth, according to the report.
To read the full report in the Grand Rapids Press, click here.
Kyle Feldscher covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
debling
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 7:14 p.m.
There is a simple expression for this kind of system, it's called "Pay for performance". You don't perform, your out. Tenure is an antiquated system that simply must go.
J. A. Pieper
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 8:49 p.m.
ERMG - I am a teacher in AAPS, and I beg to differ with you on one comment you made about this tenure situation and teachers being evaluated on the test scores of their students, at least partially so. There ARE students in the AAPS district who seem to be totally uninvolved in the learning process, more at some schools than others I would assume. It is frustrating as a teacher, and although often a topic in our conversations, we have yet to come up with a solution. I can have around 25% of students in a class that just don't want to work unless I sit with them and guide them through each item they are expected to do. This is not based on ability, it just seems to be the way some students are, and it is known as "learned helplessness." It is not possible to sit with only this percentage of a classroom all day, every other child deserves teacher attention and involvement. Some administrators have told us to concentrate on these students, saying that the capable students will pick everything up on their own and need less from the teacher. But when I spend time trying to get students started and involved, walk away to help someone else, and then another student... and return to the first student who has not done one thing since I have been helping others, this is the hardship I have with being evaluated on the basis of this student's learning. AAPS might not have as many of these students as other districts you hinted at, but they are here, believe me. What will happen is that good teachers will gravitate towards the AAPS schools that have fewer of these students, and in spite of being long time tenured teachers, we do bring much experience to a classroom, which benefits students, and pleases parents. Come visit a classroom sometime!
DonBee
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 1:42 p.m.
elise - I am not a teacher, and I don't play one on TV. I know it is a tough job, I have never argued that teachers deserve good pay. I will argue that a teacher who is not working to motivate ALL children in their class is in my mind a failure. Every child deserves a chance to learn and excel. Anything less is wrong. I spend 12 to 15 days a year in classrooms across the US, teaching my kind of work and the things that go with it. The children have a great time watching things go bang, and in some cases it helps get a child to "like" something they did not before. I see really good and motivated teachers, teachers who have decided to teach the children who care and teachers who don't care. Luckily the last group is small. In the Military we called folks in the last group ROADs (Retired on Active Duty). We called the middle group "get alongs". Neither group is serving children, which is what teaching is all about. Home problems are home problems. Breaking through and finding something that interests a child is important and SHOULD put a real feather in the teacher's cap. I know from working with Kevin Carr years ago, that he pushed teachers to break through. I still find his ethic to be what I would like to see in every school employee.
elise
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 1:28 a.m.
Donbee- It is not so simple as to assume a teacher is ignoring a child, therefore not understanding why a child is disengaged. Sometimes things can be going on at home that play a huge role in this. Sometimes kids are told not to share "family business" with the school. How do you suggest a teacher break through something like this? I really encourage everyone who thinks this is an easy job, with simple solutions, should go get a teaching degree and show all those lazy teachers how it's done.
DonBee
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 9:24 p.m.
sh1 - And you can spend a year ignoring the student and effectively throw them and their future away.
sh1
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 1:51 p.m.
You can spend a year trying to discover the reason a student is disengaged and then be punished for it at the end.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 12:36 p.m.
J.A. Did not say that those students did not exist in AAPS. And I have no doubt what you say is correct about some classrooms having up to 25% of such. Makes my point all the more valid. Good Night and Good Luck
DonBee
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 9:06 p.m.
In some cases it is boredom, one of mine was bored and making trouble this year. I discussion with the teacher and harder assignments were made, grades went from C- in the class to A. Different students disengage for different reasons. Finding the reason and dealing with the root cause can make a big difference to the number of students engaged in class.
DonBee
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 2:29 p.m.
I find it interesting that the comments and the story do not address the facts of the bill(s). 1) Extend the probation period before tenure from 4 to 5 years - no big deal, it gives schools a bit longer to figure out who they want, and in many cases gives young teachers incentive to finish their Master's degrees faster. Most people would kill for some form of job security after any length of time. 2) Requires an annual review - most people in any other walk of life have to deal with annual reviews, so what is the big deal about an annual review? 3) Requires schools to notify parents if their children are in a classroom with a teacher who has two "ineffective" reviews in a row - not too happy about this one, but would you as a parent want to know or not? 4) Requires schools to get rid of teachers with 3 ineffective reviews in a row - that gives teachers 3 years to get their act together and if they think they have an ineffective review in error to get someone else from the district to evaluate them. After all principals have bosses too and teachers have union reps. 5) The Senate version does not do away with due process or other steps required - in the last 5 years fewer than 60 teachers in the state ( that is less than 12 per year for the whole state) have been through the whole process. 20 of those were sent back to the classroom. 6) Do away with last hired, first fired - that means that the art teacher will not even up teaching First Grade, but rather the First Grade teacher will. It allows schools to adjust the teachers without having them "bump" jobs. Yes, in the union world, bumping is a common practice, but in many union shops the difference in what you need to know to be effective is small (exceptions are things like skilled trades). Can you see someone who has been teaching (happily) 4th grade all of a sudden having to dust off skills from 20 years ago to teach AP Chemistry? Any one want to discuss facts?
elise
Wed, Jul 6, 2011 : 8:25 p.m.
DonBee- If you are referring to the middle school reshuffling that was due to the "highly qualified" part of leave no child behind. Up until the point when LNCB was implemented, teachers were either certified K-8 all subjects or 9-12. Once the HQ kicked in the 6-8 teachers could only teach in the major/minor areas, this caused them to have to move people. However, in the elementary schools teachers are certified K-5 and can teach any grade. Some teachers have this K-5 certification with a concentration on one of the "special areas" (gym, art, media, etc.). So although their preference would be to teach in that area, they can in fact teach in the classroom too. So technically an art teacher in an elementary school being moved into the classroom should not be a problem. They have the exact same certification (perhaps not desire) as a classroom teacher.
DonBee
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 2:05 p.m.
elise - Then why did AAPS lay off a couple of hundred teachers a couple of years ago? I know it had to do with balancing the various certifications and getting the right people in the right roles. I remember an article at M-Live about a teacher who was dusting off a certification in something they had not taught in years. I know seniority plays a large role in who gets laid off and who does not and that bumping happens. Yes, building principals have a role in who is in their building, but I know some schools have many more senior teachers than others. It seems long term teachers avoid certain AAPS buildings if they can. I can not prove it, but the salary averages from the building by building information that was released a year or so ago, showed a big difference between some buildings. (e.g. Mitchell vs Pattengill).
elise
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 1:21 a.m.
My problem is with #6. There is no such thing as a "first grade teacher", all elementary teachers are certified to teach K-5 in a self contained classroom. Teachers move grades all the time, it's part of the job and fosters teacher growth. A teacher would never skip from 4th grade to AP Chemistry, it is a different certification to teach high school. In Ann Arbor unions have nothing to do with teacher bumping. It is solely up to the school principal to place the teachers in the grade they teach. Just sharing the facts. :)
average joe
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 1:33 a.m.
Concerning the annual review(#2)- Is there a more important (non-medical) occupation that SHOULD be subjected to an annual review than those involved in educating our future?
DonBee
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 5:47 p.m.
EMG - I have never been after Teachers. I am after the extraneous expenses and better accountability of how taxes are spent. I want ALL children to have great teachers and the chance to learn. We have never disagreed on the right of children to get a good education. Only on how much it should cost and how much accountability that schools should have to tax payers.
Beth
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 5:46 p.m.
I am uncomfortable with #3 above. If I learn that my kids' teachers are "ineffective", what can I do? A principal can't transfer everyone into a different class - there will have to be children with that teacher. School gossip gives parents an idea of how various teachers are perceived, but that's less official than this. Will parents end up choosing to leave a school rather than stay with an "ineffective" teacher? I'd rather not be told this, personally - I trust that the principal is on top of things and working with any teacher who may need help. Making public the results of an evaluation like this seems inappropriate to me - fire the teacher if they're really bad, but otherwise this shouldn't be shared.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 2:35 p.m.
The apocalypse must be upon us, DonBee. I agree entirely, with the exception I noted above. Good Night and Good Luck
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 2:27 p.m.
I tire of the hyperbole regarding what seems to be a reasonable effort to reform teacher tenure. That exception is that student performance will amount to 50% of a teacher's evaluation. Whether or not a student does the work required to learn is, at the end of the day, the responsibility of the student and of their family. The teacher could do the proverbial "standing on their head and spit quarters" and, if the student does not want to do the work, they will not learn. In districts like A2 the chances of having a classroom full of such students is few and far between. In other districts (do I need to name them?), it is extremely likely that the teacher will encounter a classroom of disengaged students who will do little or no work. Yet, in the latter case, the teacher's livelihood and the financial stability of their family will ride on the willingness of such students to get to work. This not only unfair, but very likely will be counterproductive. A likely outcome of this system is that people who fancy themselves good teachers and who are unwilling to put their financial stability at risk will avoid teaching in school districts that have large populations with problematic students and families. Whether or not this is intended or unintended is worthy of question, something a newspaper might investigate. Good Night and Good Luck
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Jul 3, 2011 : 4:17 p.m.
My point exactly. Good Night and Good Luck
John B.
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 7:48 p.m.
...if we had a newspaper! (sigh...).
maestra27
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 2:12 p.m.
For the sake of fairness, now that lawmakers have eliminated my tenure protections as a teacher, then maybe we should eliminate their recall protections. Everyone should be forced to deal with the immediate whims of the people - be they just or not, right?
lmhkw
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 1:48 p.m.
To Dirtgrain - thanks for posting that link. Great story and lots of food for thought on how to change the teaching and educational climate/environment for the better. Also interesting to note that if we let bureaucrats decide what is good teaching, we're doomed to have more bureaucrats from our education system than creative, sentient young citizens.
lmhkw
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 1:34 p.m.
Those who are delighted with this legislation need to think about what will keep talented teacher candidates here in Michigan. We largely get what we pay for whether it is through benefits, tenure or pay scale. What this legislation does is remove one of the tools we use to find and keep talent in our schools. I've spoken with current students working on getting degrees in education. They are planning to leave Michigan even before completing their degrees because they don't want to be licensed in Michigan. Sorry folks, young, interested and talented teachers are leaving the state even before we can attract them to any open positions. Those who are really good will go to where the environment for doing a good job in teaching is most promising - better salaries, better benefits and other incentives like tenure. All we are doing with our legislation is removing one of the attractors. The remaining issue then is who do we hire? We can only hire the best of the remaining pool and that doesn't address getting rid of those teachers who fall below our standards. It might be wiser to figure out first some solid standards of what is a good teacher and hold everyone to that whether or not they are tenured. It also makes more sense to figure out how to move those who don't wish to teach students to other professions and out of the education system. We also need to address the issue of students who just don't want to be in school. Of course we would like to say "they don't know enough to make that decision" but the reality is if they don't want to be there, they will find a way not to be there - truancy, drugs, or incarceration. Let's put some thought into how to deal with each student as a human being rather than as some great hoard of unmentionables. Perhaps we can start helping each student find a better path at the beginning of their life. This could be a win-win: good for the quality of their life, good for us- benefitting from new better citizens who like the wor
DonBee
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 2:32 p.m.
lmhkw - RIght now more than 1/2 of the new teachers cannot find jobs in the state. We create more teachers than there are jobs for. This is one of the toughest states to find a job in for a teacher. Substituting for 3 to 5 years in a district is not unusual before finding a job. Having students leaving the state for other places is also not unusual our schools of education have a great reputation nationally and new teachers have a lot of options.
dexterreader
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 12:42 p.m.
Through 31 years in public education I have seen both "good" teachers and "bad" teachers. Speaking as a parent, and not an MEA member (which I am), I am in favor of this piece of legislation. However, I did sign the recall petition also, mainly due to funding issues and the attack on public education that the current administration has implemented. I feel bad as I watch my niece go through 5 years of schooling to become an early childhood educator because I know what the job market is like, especially here in this state. If I was on the brink of choosing a life long career at this point in time, it definitely would not be in education. When there are state-wide budget issues, it seems we are always the first under attack because our salaries are too high or our benefits and pensions are too generous. It's just not worth it anymore .... at least in Michigan.
snoopdog
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 12:29 p.m.
Finally a step in the right direction for the children, their parents and the taxpayers. Excellent leadership Mr.Snyder ! Good Day
artydw
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 12:26 p.m.
I'm kind of happy about this. I am a recent high school graduate, and I had a a good amount of teachers where I was unable to learn due to ineffective teaching. And it wasn't a case where I was too lazy to pay attention, I was a high honors student. And in the cases where I had a poor teacher, I had to find others to help me when I didn't fully understand something because the teachers were just bad at explaining concepts and what not. I don't know if this is the best way to help the education program, but it is something.
dexterreader
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 12:45 p.m.
My son was also an honors student and fully knew when a teacher and class was a waste of his time, even in high school. You are on the right track with your thoughts about the issue!
Richard Lake
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 11:35 a.m.
The legislature is clueless about teaching so they decide what is best for your school and your children. Petitions Are Circulating to Recall Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. Petitions Are or Will Be Circulating Soon to Recall These Members of the Michigan Legislature: Kurt Damrow Nancy Jenkins John R. Moolenaar James "Jase" Bolger Joel Johnson Howard Walker Tom Casperson Kevin Cotter Randy Richardville Bruce Caswell Mike Shirkey Mike Nofs Phil Potvin John Proos Al Pscholka Arlan Meekhof On The Web: <a href="http://firericksnyder.org/" rel='nofollow'>http://firericksnyder.org/</a> <a href="http://firericksnyder.org/news-the-latest-progress" rel='nofollow'>http://firericksnyder.org/news-the-latest-progress</a> <a href="http://michiganforward.org/?page_id=678" rel='nofollow'>http://michiganforward.org/?page_id=678</a> <a href="http://michiganforward.org/?page_id=940" rel='nofollow'>http://michiganforward.org/?page_id=940</a> <a href="http://action.afscme.org/c/346/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=773" rel='nofollow'>http://action.afscme.org/c/346/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=773</a> <a href="http://progressmichigan.org/democracy.html" rel='nofollow'>http://progressmichigan.org/democracy.html</a> <a href="http://www.fightschoolcuts.com/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.fightschoolcuts.com/</a>
whodat
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 11:13 a.m.
Maybe we should evaluate the PARENTS on an annual basis too so we can stop laying blame and the feet of the teachers and the unions.
Heardoc
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 10:24 a.m.
If half of all teachers are bad -- then fire them. Firing poor employees is a good thing. When you have entrenched unionistic ideals in place then harsh treatment is needed to rid the workplace of this thought process. The MEA and their union members are really at fault for the poor performance of our schools. The socialistic mentality of unions has drawn down the expectations for our children. The ideals of unions need to be rejected by our children so that they rely more on individual accomplishments and the pride ( and rewards) rather than a state or union for their needs and desires. We are in need of teaching capitalism and the constitution and remove socialism form the classroom environment.
Terri
Sat, Jul 2, 2011 : 10:55 a.m.
Can you give me a list of schools that teach socialism, so that I can immediately transfer my kids to one of them? Thanks.
sh1
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 2:33 p.m.
I'm curious and not being sarcastic. Where do you get your information about unions?
Heardoc
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 10:15 a.m.
Well, this will get the union types to work more and not lay back on their seniority. The tail has wagged the dog too long and this is the start of change -- it is for the kids!
Joe Hood
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 4:33 a.m.
@Fire Rick Take back our state, to when? Can we go back to the early sixties with the Big Three or the later part of the Nineteenth Century when we were cutting the the trees? Oh wait, I'm dreaming that right now. The logs are rolling down the sand dunes to the the au Sable right now and the Lorax is majorly irritated. The EFM law came about because cities couldn't control themselves, making the state step in (Not only did the executive decide to do something, the legislature did as well--even the judicial is good with it). The state has to do something, what's the alternative? I don't see any other solutions proposed. You do realize if we do vote out the Governor, a "Republican in Name Only," we get his Lt Governor? Wouldn't it be funny if Gov Snyder threw his hat into the ring for President?
godsbreath64
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 6:24 p.m.
How below average must one be NOT to take into account the volumes of seditious history of the party of High Crimes, War Crimes and Sarah Plain'? Calley is clearly guilty of association with taxation without representation, et. al.
average joe
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 10:44 a.m.
"Although Calley is even worse than Snyder, ...." I didn't know you could predict the future.....
Fire Rick
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 5:19 a.m.
@ Joe Hood Regarding the 2012 presidential election . . . I'm not sure "funny" would be the adjective I would use to describe a Snyder candidacy. I would, however, welcome his hat in the ring. The chances of a democrat being elected into office would increase exponentially if s/he was running against Snyder, one of the most unpopular governors in the nation. <a href="http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/05/republican-governor-unpopular-obama-president" rel='nofollow'>http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/05/republican-governor-unpopular-obama-president</a>
Fire Rick
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 5:04 a.m.
@ Joe Hood - Those who are signing the petitions would like to take back our State to a time when we weren't being run by dictators (namely Rick Snyder and all of his appointed EFMs). Another point of clarification . . . if Snyder is recalled, then Lt. Governor Calley takes over until a Special Election can be called in February. Although Calley is even worse than Snyder, it's better to live with Calley for 3 months than Snyder for 3+ more years.
Mike
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 3:54 a.m.
Anyone else get tenure after 5 years? You either do a good, competent job or you find another profession. What's with what amounts to lifetime employment? Anyone can get through five years . The good ones will still be good and the bad ones will be gone.
sh1
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 2:31 p.m.
But that wouldn't be true after 4 years, as in the previous plan?
Tru2Blu76
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 8:33 a.m.
I've been working for about 45 years - mostly in non-union jobs and white collar. This tenure thing for "all" teachers isn't by any measure different in so-called private businesses. There are plenty of incompetents working in "the private sector" and we know some of them are making six figures. The "tenure for teachers reform" is more window dressing done by politicians who themselves just want to deceive voters into thinking they're "doing good." Teachers are just the latest scapegoat for the conservative extremists.
WhyCan'tWeBeFriends
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 3:31 a.m.
I know the evaluations tied to "student growth" may be troublesome in instances of parental non-involvement or students with learning disabilities/other impairments, but the rest of what is presented here seems very reasonable. I'd like to think that special circumstances will not cause good teachers to get unfair reviews but those who deserve bad reviews should be ready to get them. That is how the real world works, and I believe is the best thing for the students too.
Fire Rick
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 3:27 a.m.
Absolutely shameful. The quality of education in the State of Michigan is deteriorating by the minute. Why would anyone in their right mind enter the field of education? The best and brightest will go into other fields and head to other states where the profession garners more respect. Act now and reclaim our once great State of Michigan! Petitions to recall Rick Snyder and repeal the Emergency Financial Manager law are available and ready to be signed! You can sign both petitions at the following locations and times: - Ann Arbor Farmer's Market - every Saturday (8:00 am - 12:00 pm) - Ann Arbor Summer Festival (near Bell Tower) - July 1-6, 8, 9 (6:30 pm - 8:30 pm) - Ann Arbor Art Fair - July 20-22 (8:00 am - 8:00 pm) and July 23 (10:00 am - 6:00 pm) ** For those who are still on the fence . . . If we get enough valid signatures, it doesn't mean Snyder is automatically recalled. It only means that voters are given the option to recall him in the November election. If the vote to recall Snyder succeeds in November, then the Lieutenant Governor takes over until a special election can be called in February. Even if you are still on the fence, SIGN THE PETITION so you will have the option of recalling him in November.
Fire Rick
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 2:06 p.m.
@ Tru2Blu76 A person who knowingly signs a recall petition more than once or signs a name other than his or her own is violating the provisions of the Michigan Election Law.
Tru2Blu76
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 8:24 a.m.
Can I sign the recall petition with all three hundred of my aliases? Thanks for the location info - I've been looking for the opportunity to sign.
Carl Ebach
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 3:27 a.m.
Just another right to fire law. If the adminsration wants to get rid of a bad teach now they have to put some effort into with this new law all they have to is load a teacher with a class ( I don't want to be here students) and bang that teacher is fired. Trust me I have been in those classes and just keeping them in the classroom is a major undertaking.
Dirtgrain
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 3:26 a.m.
Putting more power in the hands of incompetent administrators is not better for our children. Dis-empowering our teachers is not better for our children. Firing bad teachers is a good idea, but this is not at all a good way to accomplish that. Here is a teacher evaluation system that would benefit students: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/06/education/06oneducation.html?_r=2&ref=education" rel='nofollow'>http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/06/education/06oneducation.html?_r=2&ref=education</a> Why aren't our politicians trying that? I don't understand how so many can think that firing teachers is the key to making our schools better. Should half of all teachers be fired? What exactly do they envision?
Macabre Sunset
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 3:06 a.m.
Looks like some major steps to improve the quality of education in Michigan, and cut some costs as well. A better framework for the long term. Of course, since it benefits students, the MEA is dead set against it.