Walcott Proposes New Plan To Replace Ineffective Teachers
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Schools Chancellor Denis Walcott outlined a plan Monday that would streamline the process to replace ineffective teachers.
“The way the law is currently structured, it allowed these inconsistencies to continue, where we had teachers who were poor performing to still be in front of the classroom,” said Walcott.
In front of state lawmakers in Albany, Walcott called the plan a “common sense approach.”
Instead of placing arbitrators to determine whether teachers should remain in the classroom, Walcott said the cases should be brought before judges in the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.
“We need to have a system in place that’s not based on arbitrators coming in on a part-time basis, costing us an arm and a leg,” said Walcott. “We need to have professional individuals who are steeped in the ideology.”
He also called for the city’s disciplinary actions to be upheld within reason, instead of being forced to show “just cause” for firing a teacher.
“It permits arbitrators to substitute their own judgment for the judgment of our principals, our superintendents and eventually the chancellor,” said Walcott.
The chancellor said the changes would mean decisions would be made in 30 to 40 days rather than 105, and they would be more cost effective.
Meanwhile the teachers union said it was just a year ago they reached a deal to eliminate the so-called “rubber rooms,” and that it’s too soon to rush into another disciplinary plan.
“Let’s continue what we’re doing now because it seems to be working,” said Andrew Pallotta, executive vice president of the New York State Teachers Union.
Walcott also said there should be automatic termination not only for teachers convicted of sex crimes, but for any felony.
“The rights of adults should never trump the rights of our children,” said Walcott, “and if you’ve committed a felony then you should not be in front of the classroom.”
A union official said that a fairer standard would be to base termination on whether the crime affects the teacher's ability to perform his or her duties.