In the works. This week there was a settlement with LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District) and layoff policies will no longer be last hired is first fired. This has many wondering just what does that mean.
In basic terms, seniority is out the window, and anyone can get the axe. Wow, no one is safe. This all stems from two years of teachers RIFs, (Reduction In Force), otherwise known as a layoff. The new teachers, usually more energetic and passionate, were let go and schools were forced to have substitute teachers fill in until a teacher was relocated and placed in that position.
LAUSD has until March 15th to set up a policy and method in which to release teachers. Wow, I really don't know what to think. What comes to mind are the words of Shakespeare and Anne Rice, "Beware the Ides of March" because, "No one is safe from nature's savagery, not even the innocent."
This all makes me think of the words of Chris Dede, "When we look back on public education, this will be seen as the 'Dark Ages'.
2 comments:
The other thing that is in doubt is how does this affect the rest of the teachers' contract.
I don't get it??? Should seniority outweigh education and destiny? If LAUSD is firing teachers and replacing them with substitutes what is happening to the children's education?
Wonder what would happen if LAUSD ONLY hired teachers that have a Master's degree in Education and placed them in classes that correlate with their field of study, AND paid every one of them an annual $80K plus benefits salary? Would this distinguish those that really desire to be teachers from those hiding in classroom and stop the layoffs? Would layoffs be reduced because the govt. would view children that are better equipped for college as investments/assets rather than expense/liabilities?
What is it going to take for our country to view education and access to a good education as a priority for ALL Americans? What will lead us to a place where education is the last entity used to balance a state budget?
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