Question For VETERAN Teachers Only?

Question

Can a teacher with tenure be fired? Can a teacher with a continuing contract ever get a nonrenewal of his or her contract? It is obvious that they can get fired for committing a crime or doing something to a student. But can they get fired just for bad teaching performance even though they have tenure? Can a 25 year teacher get fired after year 26 for too many students failing their standardized tests? Can a 30 year teacher get fired for a bad evaluation after 29 good years of teaching?

Answer 1

The short answer is "no."  A tenured teacher, particularly with the amount of seniority you're referring to, is not likely to be fired.

However, there are some violations so heinous, as you're aware, they will get you the boot whether you're 4 years in or 40.  s*x with or violence towards a student, for example.

What usually happens in the situation you describe (poor performance) is that the union (or admin) recommends early retirement, which I've seen happen to colleagues.  Perhaps something is going on in the teacher's personal life (chronic illness, e.g.) that impairs his/her ability to perform at previous levels.  S/he will be spoken to but until it gets really bad, the teacher is usually left to stay.  Maybe they'll recommend a medical leave, which I've also seen happen (if they have the sick days stored up).

But in the case of a teacher just giving up, the problem is usually swept under the rug until it gets so bad it must be addressed.  Sad but true.

EDIT:  Jdeekdee said, "Funny how someone gets paid for NOT doing their job."  If that's a slight towards teachers, and I believe it is, let me add my two cents.  I transitioned from the corporate world (10 years in marketing) to teaching, and I can say that the laziest pieces of sh-- in my school *still* worked more than than some of the people I had to work alongside in the private sector.  I was appalled in both work environments, but never moreso than in private companies where people were employed out of a misguided sense of duty, sucking up to the boss, seniority, entitlement, etc.  At least in teaching, you are required to do more than breathe with your mouth open -- evidently the minimal talent required by some of my private sector employers.  Meanwhile, in teaching, you have hundreds of people -- adults and children -- observing you every day.  Nothing is a secret.  While nothing may be done about it right away, nothing is still secret, as it is in the corporate world.

Answer 2

Yes, a tenured teacher can be fired for incompetence.  If the teacher has bad evaluations, a growth plan, an opportunity to improve and does not improve, that teacher can be fired.  Odds are, however, once you get to the 30-year mark, that teacher would be "encouraged" to retire.

Answer 3

The process for firing a tenured teacher in most state is a very long and complicated one.  Chances are the teacher will not be fired, but moved to a different position.  In both cases it sounds like there is more going on than just failing students and a bad evaluation.  Is the standardized test the same one the teacher has always used?  Is the person evaluating the teacher "out to get" said teacher?  Perhaps the district is trying to force retirements of older teachers.  In either case the teachers need to contact their union representatives and discuss what is happening.

Answer 4

it would take something bigger than that to get you fired. they can pull you out of a classroom, and you'll have to do like AIS facilitating or be a reading aid or something, but they wouldnt fire you for that.

Answer 5

The first person said it'll take more than that to get her fired.

So that means yea, they dont' have to do their job that they are hired to do.

Funny how someone gets paid for NOT doing their job

Answer 6

the rules are different in every state...if the teachers have good track records it is generally very hard to get rid if them for 1 or 2 bad years...generally teacher retention is not based on students passing the test...there are procedures that need to be followed, usually there is some type of hearing or committee that will review the situation...they really need to check with their union rep...