Yes on Prop 74

The summary of Prop 74 is on pages 12 to 15 in my voter guide book.

It proposes two changes: (1) extends the probationary period for newly hired teachers from two years to five years (see chart on p. 12, most states set the number at three years) and (2) changes some of the rules for beginning the process of dismissing teachers who have tenure.

In my mind, there are two question: would this harm recruitment and retention of good teachers and help reduce the number of bad teachers?

I think the answer would be NO and MAYBE. Therefore, I recommend a Yes vote on Prop 74.

The LA Times, no friend of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, came out in support of Prop 74. Excerpt:

Everyone on campus - and some people off campus, such as involved parents - knows who the bad teachers are. These teachers stay on in part because many principals have neither the time nor the inclination to go through the complicated procedure necessary to fire a teacher, and in part because school districts prefer to avoid the costs of administrative law hearings to which all fired teachers are entitled.

The helpful part of Proposition 74 addresses a minor part of the problem. It would expand the probationary period for new teachers, who can be fired for any reason, to five years, at which point they would receive tenure. Current law sets probation at two years. That's not enough time.

Teachers unions argue that by reducing job security, a longer probation period would discourage people from entering the profession. We have more faith in teachers than that. Most prospective teachers are intent on succeeding at their work; they don't enter the profession because they know they can fall back on tenure protection if they fail.

UPDATE: Even the SF Chronicle has come out in favor of Prop 74!