The publication is advice designed to help employers in all schools with staffing and employment issues, and to inform their decision making. It advises on matters contained within the School Staffing (England) Regulations 2009 for maintained schools and for independent schools, which include academies and free schools, the Education (Independent…

Teacher evaluation is at the center of current education policy reform. Most evaluation systems rely at least in part on principals' assessments of teachers, and their discretionary judgments carry substantial weight. However, we know relatively little about what they value when determining evaluations and high stakes personnel decisions. The…

In partnership with the Urban League of Greater Miami, the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) released "Teacher Quality Roadmap: Improving Policies and Practices in Miami," an in-depth study of the work rules Miami-Dade teachers. This look at the state of teacher policies in Miami-Dade County Public Schools explores the…

This paper is the National Council on Teacher Quality's (NCTQ) fourth annual review of state laws, rules and regulations that govern the teaching profession. This year's "Yearbook" takes a different approach than the past editions, as it is designed as a companion to the 2009 "State Teacher Policy Yearbook", NCTQ's most recent…

Reviews a recent case that exhibits the mistakes that can be made when teachers, school boards, and administrators fail to understand that teacher tenure is not a guarantee of employment but does guarantee that procedural and statutory protections will apply in any termination process. (PGD)

In recent years, tenure has increasingly come under fire as an anachronism, not only for appearing to be out of touch with modern society but also as protection for the allegedly incompetent. Administrators and governing boards find themselves spending inordinate time defending it. So, in March 2005, the University of Colorado took the…

Reviews rationale for firing incompetent teachers and obstacles to dismissal. Citing 13 specific court decisions, discusses subcategories of successful dismissal cases involving insubordination and neglect of duty, unprofessional behavior, immorality, and inferior classroom performance. Mentions dismissal cases that foundered due to First…

Provides school executives with due process information concerning termination of school personnel, including teachers. Outlines the usual reasons for termination, ranging from reduction in force to wrongdoing on the job, and explains the burden of proof resting on the employer. (MLH)

A recent North Carolina school board's decision to dismiss a tenured teacher was upheld by the courts. Florida's statewide competency exam was also supported by a federal court. (MD)

Secondary school administrators considering the termination of an employee prior to the expiration of contract are offered several suggestions. These are: have a good evaluation system in place; follow all phases of the evaluation system; document all conferences, observations, and other encounters; alert the superintendent early in the process;…

Reviews 41 cases involving removal of tenured faculty for cause decided since 1982 to clarify the specific requirements institutions must meet to guarantee due process to tenured faculty and to avoid the infringement of constitutional rights of faculty at public institutions. (MLF)

Discusses three cases involving the dismissal of untenured school employees who, although not covered by extensive formal due process requirements, have sought reinstatement or damages on the basis of alleged violation of their constitutional rights. (MLF)

At many colleges and universities in the United States, the mystique of tenure has provided tenured faculty, even incompetent and inactive faculty, a protected status. Dismissing a tenured faculty member requires a specified cause for termination, and is often one of the most difficult personnel actions that a college can take. Dealing with…

A list of important points and procedures for superintendents to observe when preparing for and testifying during teacher dismissal hearings. (MLF)

Based on research conducted at Mississippi State University, Meridian (Mississippi) Public Schools, and Vicksburgh Public Schools, the intent of this study was to determine the general state of due process procedures in the practices of school officials throughout the southern region. All cases involving teacher dismissal in the Fifth Circuit…