This report concerns actions taken by Linfield University to terminate Dr. Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, a tenured professor of English with ten years of full-time service. The Linfield administration has fully acknowledged that it declined to afford Professor Pollack-Pelzner a dismissal procedure. It has also stated that it dismissed Professor…

The 2009 "State Teacher Policy Yearbook" provided a comprehensive review of states' policies that impact the teaching profession. As a companion to last year's comprehensive state-by-state analysis, the 2010 edition provides each state with an individualized "Blueprint for Change," building off last year's "Yearbook"…

Asked elementary and middle school principals in Oregon to identify barriers to dealing effectively with inadequately performing teachers. Findings show that principals believe teacher unions to be the biggest barrier, with the union representative more often to blame than the union contract. Principals also identify the time required to engage in…

This document focuses on the issues involved when changes in school district staff size are planned and revises the 1977 document, "Reduction in Force." Because local Oregon school districts have statutory and constitutional authority to reduce force and lay off staff, they need to develop plans for such actions when procedures are not…

For five years running, the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) has tracked states' teacher policies, preparing a detailed and thorough compendium of teacher policy in the United States on topics related to teacher preparation, licensure, evaluation, career advancement, tenure, compensation, pensions and dismissal. The 2011 State Teacher…

This paper presents the Oregon edition of the National Council on Teacher Quality's 2008 "State Teacher Policy Yearbook". The 2008 "Yearbook" focuses on how state policies impact the retention of effective new teachers. This policy evaluation is broken down into three areas that encompass 15 goals. Broadly, these goals examine…

This report discusses the new Oregon fair dismissal law, and examines the role of district administrators in the procedures leading to dismissal of certificated staff. The text provides (1) pertinent excerpts from the law, (2) major points of two dismissal case studies showing subtle variables in the dismissal process, (3) suggestions regarding…

The Oregon edition of the National Council on Teacher Quality's (NCTQ's) 2009 "State Teacher Policy Yearbook" is the third annual look at state policies impacting the teaching profession. It is hoped that this report will help focus attention on areas where state policymakers can make changes that will have a positive impact on teacher…

The dismissal of public school teachers in Oregon is governed by the Fair Dismissal Law. The statutory requirements of the law involve (1) a notice from the superintendent of intent to dismiss, (2) school board approval of dismissal, (3) the teacher's right to appeal to the Fair Dismissal Appeals Board (FDAB), and (4) the school board's and…

Twelve collective bargaining agreements between selected community colleges in Oregon and their respective faculty associations are presented, representing contracts in effect in 1987. Contracts for the following colleges are provided: Blue Mountain Community College, Central Oregon Community College, Chemeketa Community College, Clackamas…

Collective bargaining agreements between the boards of trustees and faculty associations of six selected community colleges in Oregon are presented, representing contracts in effect in 1988 and 1989. Contracts for the following colleges are presented: (1) Portland Community College; (2) Central Oregon Community College; (3) Clackamas Community…