JD, this part:

I’d probably ask for clearer definitions of competency since 90% of all teachers in this country get satisfactory ratings throughout the year (which either means we have a lot more competence teachers than the edu-deformers admit to or the people who administer these ratings don’t always know how to measure teacher effectiveness, a discussion for another time). I’d increase the amount each school gets in their budget so they’re less tempted to cut out highly competent vets who can then mentor younger students, producing more whole school communities rather than the current schema.

was really an indictment of “evaluators” more than teachers. While I agree with your statement completely, I also know that eventually, a little change is necessary to preserve teaching as a whole. As you know in this blog, I’ve been more critical of admins than teachers because the national argument is in reverse. But after a while, it’s easy to get frustrated at both parties and we need to find good solutions for this. I know you see the premise, but I just needed to put that out there. ‘Tis all.

Tenure = due process

It’s at 3 years here. Make it shorter? 2 years? Or lengthen it? 5-6 years?

But both? Not possible.

Tell you what. I am against playing with it. Against tinkering. Against nibbling around the edges. Because once the door is open, we could find ourselves in serious trouble pretty quickly.

If you see someone, and you wonder who granted them tenure… aren’t you really wondering about who granted them tenure?

As a teacher at a suburban high school in Maryland, I can definitely attest to the feelings you’re generating here. I often experience these same emotions when I see an incompetent teacher in the system, much less in my own hallway.

So, props for you in writing this letter. Now only if the adm could read it (without getting aggravated at you).

I need to find a teacher to write a letter to in my own school.

-ck