| OK...I FINALLY read the article in the paper. Seems to me the issue in NYC is NOT the teachers' unions....it's the very slow processing of these issues. Xiggi...teachers unions do not support criminals or those who are causing harm to children. Teachers unions also do not support keeping poor teachers at all costs. To be honest, teachers unions (where I am) DO support the use of proper protocol to dismiss teachers for a variety of reasons. This article actually stated that the issue is one of the time that it is taking to process these issues...get them through the pipeline. It seems to me that the NYC schools should be looking at HOW they are doing this, and why it is taking so long. My guess is the unions would support that. Bottom line is that as long as there is a teacher on "leave", a permanent replacement cannot be hired. That is something our union is voracious about. If someone can't do the job...get rid of them...document what you need to do, and do it all in a timely fashion. The district is doing NO ONE any favors by dragging this process out (well except those getting paid while not working).
I have been part of committees that have studied education overseas and here. There are many issues contributing to performance differences...not JUST unions. There are cultural and social issues as well as differences in the structures of schools outside of the United States.
Yes, perhaps someone with strength in understanding would be able to interpret the differences easily, but to be honest, most folks look at the bottom line and not anything between the top and bottom. |