LIFO and teachers

What are the pros and cons of using last-in-first-out (LIFO) in the hiring and firing of teachers? Does the risk of losing seniority outweigh the immediate need for teachers with enthusiasm, who just so happen to be more cost effective?

From the February 16, 2011, New York Post... and Randi Wins Again
For a while yesterday, it looked like the full muscle and influence of the Obama administration was about to be flexed in favor of repealing LIFO. And then something happened.

US Education Secretary Arne Duncan spoke at a federal conference on "advancing student achievement through labor-management collaboration." The original, pre-delivery text of his remarks targeted "Last in, first out":

"Already, the ACLU has blocked seniority-based layoffs in Los Angeles, and Mayor Bloomberg has called for a change of state [LIFO] law in New York.

"My view is that we need to look hard at the impact of seniority rules on students, especially in low-achieving schools. The goal should always be to maintain the most effective workforce, regardless of years of experience . . .

"Last-in-first-out policies can disproportionately remove great newer teachers who take on tough educational challenges," the text read.

But here's what Duncan actually ended up saying, according to the new text distributed minutes before he spoke:

"With [federal stimulus] funds drying up, this is a front-burner issue across the country. My view is that we need to look hard at the impact of staffing rules and policies on students, especially in low-achieving schools.

"That means recruiting the best teachers and then making sure that our state laws, labor contracts and personnel practices support these teachers and keep them in their schools," he said.

That's it.

So, what the hell happened to LIFO? Ah, life is full of mysteries. As much as the teachers unions hate charters, LIFO is a line-in-the-sand issue for them.

As noted above, they have Albany's top education policymakers dancing like puppets -- so is there any reason to think their influence with the Obama administration is less strong?

This has the fingerprints of Randi Weingarten and the American Federation of Teachers all over it.

Duncan, who knows better, blew it.

Did you know that Peoria is on the "cutting edge of "education reform"?

Me neither...

Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, one of this country's most visible leaders in education, is visiting District 150 today. The pjstar is reporting that Weingarten is here because Peoria is on the "cutting edge" of "education reform". Did you hear that Peoria - what we have before us is "cutting edge education reform".

What is being called "cutting edge", is the restructuring of Manual and the development of a teacher evaluation tool that is to be used at Manual (which is said to likely be a model for the rest of the state). Having said all that, do we really believe Weingarten is in town to commend the "education reforms" as stated above?

Lately local teacher's union rabblerousers have ratcheted up the dialogue against Edison, Manual and Quest (all entities negotiate contracts with teachers outside the union), call me a skeptic, but it is doubtful that Weingarten is in town to slap Teacher's Union President, Bobby Darling on the back.

The question of the day: Why is a powerful politician - Randi Weingarten really in Peoria - did she get lost on her way to Chicago?

She was involved in the unseating of D.C. Schools Chancellor, Michelle Rhee and the subsequent unseating of D.C. Mayor, Adrian Fenty. Is she in Peoria to put her two cents in on the negotiation of the contract for the Peoria Teacher's Union?

While all of the big wigs are running around town spending our tax dollars, riding in caravans, eating at steak houses and talking the dollars of education, what does any of this really have to do with what our parents and children are dealing with every day? Will there be any discussions about what is best for children and families?

Also in town...Dr. W. Patrick Dolan, a nationally recognized consultant on education reform. Mr. Dolan will be presenting at a forum alongside Bobby Darling. The presentation is entitled "Reforming Schools in Peoria". It is reported that the topic relates to efforts by Mr. Darling and Dr. Dolan to move into a new era of education unionism.

If Darling (as the elected leader of the Teacher's Union) enlisted Patrick Dolan - exactly who invited Randi Weingarten?