After being involuntarily transferred from a suburban middle school near his home to an urban school facing many challenges, this case describes a series of events that led to a veteran teacher's termination. Upon claiming he was wrongfully terminated, the case narrative ends just prior to the teacher's hearing before the board of education, where…

Public school teachers in the United States are famously difficult to dismiss. The reason is simple: after three years on the job, most receive tenure--after a brief and subjective evaluation process in which few receive negative ratings. In recent years, some school districts have experimented with changes in tenure rules. They seek the power to…

During the 2010, 2011, and 2012 legislative sessions, a combination of federal policy incentives and newly elected governors and legislative majorities in many states following the 2010 elections sparked a wave of legislation addressing teacher effectiveness. More than 20 states passed legislation designed to address educator effectiveness by…

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 third edition offers timely solutions for successfully dealing with marginal teachers. Lawrence illustrates the proper actions that principals should integrate into the evaluation processes to successfully gather documentation to help improve or terminate an ineffective teacher. Complete with tools and resources to streamline the evaluation…

Contends that the issue of whether public school teachers may wear religious garb while teaching is no longer a debatable topic. Argues that wearing religious garb may unduly influence students and therefore violates the separation of church and state. Concludes that teachers must set an example of tolerance and should not wear religious garb…

Discusses the case of Muslim and Sikh teachers who were dismissed because they refused to refrain from wearing traditional religious clothing at school. Reviews religious garb statutes in several states in relation to First Amendment rights and a pluralistic society. Concludes that religious dress is protected by freedom of expression guarantees.…

A common administrative assumption is that a part-time college faculty member on a one-term contract has no right to continuing employment. However, recent court decisions indicate that other rights may entitle him to due process. Renewal or dismissal of part-time faculty should not be treated casually. (MSE)

A New York City bar association's Special Committee on Education and the Law report outlines sound law and practice in the major issues in tenure: fair procedures in reappointment, tenure decisions, and tenure termination; claims of unlawful discrimination, confidentiality claims in tenure decisions; and the scope of judicial intervention. (MSE)

Defines and gives examples of remediation as a process prior to dismissal proceedings, in which a teacher is evaluated by administrators, who identify deficiencies and provide the teacher an opportunity to correct them. Identifies what constitutes remediable conduct, how requirements for remediation are imposed, and how courts review dismissal…

A collection of anecdotes and ideas about tenure includes such topics as competition, faculty dismissal, job security, use of part-time faculty, governance, and the role of higher education. It ends with a call for a major task force effort to address the problem comprehensively. (MSE)

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities' recently revised policy concerning the termination of faculty in conditions of institutional financial exigency is criticized in the context of AAUP's stated guidelines and standards. (MSE)

The events and conditions surrounding the loss of tenure of a priest-faculty member who resigned the priesthood upon reassignment but wished to remain on the university faculty are outlined, and the results of the AAUP investigation of the situation are presented. (MSE)

An AAUP investigation of the dismissal, of three faculty members, who subsequently charged that their academic freedom had been violated and due process had been denied, is reported. (MSE)

When a large group of nontenured part-time English department faculty were summarily dismissed, a significant segment of the English curriculum was left largely unattended, and other problems arose throughout the institution. (MSE)