Fifth in a series
Re “In 41 Years, Goldberg Has Met but Two Bad Teachers”
[img]2839|right|Ms. Nancy Goldberg||no_popup[/img]As the sizzling debate over teacher tenure and the possiblygroundbreaking Vergara v. California ruling last June simmers in the background, School Board member Nancy Goldberg sledgehammered her response.
“Oh, God, no,” the retired teacher said sharply when asked if she believes the ruling declaring current tenure policy unconstitutional will be upheld.
“I don’t see how it can be, not in California.
“A whole fiasco was introduced with Mayor Villaraigosa (taking over some schools) and (ex-LAUSD Supt. John) Deasy, and Eli Broad with that whole top-down management idea was the antithesis of what we need in public education,” Ms. Goldberg said.
In the 16-page ruling by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Rudolf Treu said California is among five “outlier” states where the probationary period for incoming teachers is two years or less.
It is less in California, commonly 18 months, according to state school officials. Teachers union officials stoutly have claimed that a year and a half is sufficient time to decide the merits of an instructor.
In Culver City last summer, administrators declined to speak for attribution on the thorny matter.
Only in Hawaii is there greater leniency. Tenure can be obtained within one year.
