For Immediate Release

UFT on state Legislature’s clarification on tenure

Mar 26, 2008 5:28 PM

New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein on March 26 traveled to Albany, where he was joined by representatives of public school systems in Syracuse, Yonkers and elsewhere at a press conference where they criticized tenure language in a bill before the state Legislature that prohibits school districts from using student test scores to evaluate teachers for tenure. They claimed that the language – which clarifies language in existing law – would make it more difficult for administrators to deny teachers tenure.

UFT President Randi Weingarten refuted their claims in the following statement:

“The tenure language in the bill before the state Legislature simply clarifies what the Legislature and Governor agreed to last year: teachers can be evaluated on their use of student test scores and other data and how they adjust their own teaching to help students improve. It is akin to doctors using tests, X-rays and the like to help prescribe a course of treatment. This legislative intent didn’t cause a problem last year as part of the massive Campaign for Fiscal Equity overhaul and it shouldn’t be misinterpreted. It does not guarantee teachers lifetime job protection, nor does it take away a district’s ability to grant tenure. It simply follows last year’s agreement to preclude judging teachers for tenure on student test scores.

This change was made last year by the Governor and the Legislature in the very same bill that watered down superintendent and school board accountability by eliminating the state’s ability to remove them, a change the group advocating today for tenure changes got for themselves last year.

It is troubling that the chancellor, along with superintendents from other parts of the state, argues that this clarification amounts to taking away local control from school districts when in fact it merely reasserts what all parties had agreed last year was a sensible means for using test scores in the tenure process. Why the sudden change?

At a time when schools all over the state are facing daunting budget cuts, it is both disappointing and perplexing that our district education leaders should be standing on the steps of the capitol holding a press conference on this subject, particularly when it amounts to a simple clarification of existing law. I hope that in coming days they will join us and the many parents who are focusing all of our attention on restoring the funds lost to these painful budget cuts so that our kids don’t get shortchanged.”