LAUSD chief aims to bounce weak teachers

[ilbegone]

Large article

For whole piece: http://www.dailynews.com/ci_14022021

LAUSD chief aims to bounce weak teachers


By Connie Llanos, Staff Writer

12/17/2009

Los Angeles schools chief Ramon Cortines said Thursday that he's done "coddling" under-performing teachers and plans to streamline district operations to ensure sub-par educators are removed from the classroom.

Cortines' statements came as the district faces a massive budget deficit that could lead to layoffs of 5,000 employees, including 1,500 teachers, next year.

Under current rules, the pink slips would go first to the newest teachers, even as dozens of chronically poor-performing teachers — some who have been removed from classrooms for egregious behavior — continue to stay employed due to their tenured status.

While tenure will remain protected under state law, Cortines intends to require administrators to be tougher about recommending the dismissal of tenured teachers who receive "below standard" evaluations for two years or more. This year 48 LAUSD teachers fall in that category