Some teachers need to go

Opinion: October 5, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Philadelphia Inquirer: President Obama made another big push for his education agenda last week, with a renewed call to hold the worst teachers accountable.

Those who fail to improve quickly have “got to go.” It is a harsh directive, but a necessary one, given the sorry state of public education. Students are failing classes and flunking out at alarming rates — unable to read or perform basic math skills.

Obama’s plan calls for teachers who miss the mark to get additional training and a chance to improve, which is fair. But those who still fail to improve after a reasonable period could be fired.

No doubt, teachers’ unions are disturbed to hear such tough talk again from Obama, and with it the prospect that some teachers could lose their jobs. But the president has made clear his intent to change the status quo.

Obama did take a conciliatory tone in expressing his desire to work with the education unions. Historically, collective bargaining units have been reluctant to address issues such as tenure that make it difficult to get rid of poorly performing teachers.

Hurting students

That must change. Keeping bad teachers who wear tenure like a badge of honor hurts students in chronically troubled schools. It also makes it difficult for good teachers to create environments where students can succeed.

Rather than rise up in knee-jerk opposition to the president, unions should continue to work with the administration to make needed changes that will be in the best interest of students.