Grades Will No Longer Be Used to Evaluate Teachers for Tenure

Grades Will No Longer Be Used to Evaluate Teachers for Tenure is an interesting May 6, 2008 New York Law Journal Article by Jerry Ehrlich (registration required). In this article, Jerry reviews a recent New York law which mandates that student test performance not be used as the basis to either grant or deny tenure.

Jerry questions the utility of such a law and in so doing he reviews basic New York education law concerning the probationary process, the process of obtaining tenure as well as the importance of tenure. He notes that prior to this statute being enacted school districts had unfettered discretion in deciding whether to grant or deny tenure. Jerry seems to conclude that student test scores are a relevant factor, but should not be the sole factor in determining tenure.

Jerry Ehrlich is a well known New York management education lawyer. Though the article is well written, it should certainly not be viewed as an objective piece of scholarship. However, it is worth a read.

Mitchell H. Rubinstein