Teachers Union Dealt Blow By LA County Superior Judge; Students Win

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge handed down a ruling on Tuesday that could affect job protection for teachers in California. If upheld the ruling will deal a crucial blow to the teachers union of California as well as the rest of the nation.

Currently the teachers union is one of the strongest in the nation and has extensive protocols and red tape when trying to fire a teacher based on performance. The new ruling would do away with the teacher's union bureaucracy and make the process of firing a far easier issue. Upon passing, new rules and regulation would have to be reworked in the state of California.

Supporters on both sides of the issue claim that they are in the right and the opposition is committing a disservice to the students. Alex Caputo-Pearl, the president elect of the Los Angeles teachers union, told LA Times reporters that, "This decision today is an attack on teachers, which is a socially acceptable way to attack children."

Joshua Pechthalt, president of the California Federation of Teachers, told reporters, "We are not blind that there are teachers who struggle ... but efforts to support our colleagues have not been supported by the state."

In opposition to the teachers union stands Theodore J. Boutrous Jr. who is an attorney for the plaintiff. Boutrous laid out an ideal plan for California teachers where those who are successful and hard working are rewarded and those who fail on certain criteria are fired.

Under the current laws set forth by the teachers union the simple firing of a teacher can drag on for up to a year. There have been numerous cases where teachers being investigated for sexual crimes against students were put on paid leave. In times such as these, with the education budget barely hanging on, paid leave for ineffective and sometimes deviant teachers is a terrible thought.

The teachers union plans to appeal the ruling and feels that they have a great chance. Union attorney Glenn Rothner told the LA Times, "We know that this is not the last word on this case. We believe very strongly that we will prevail on appeal."

When examining the job security of teachers in comparison to other professional careers, no matter how poorly the teacher performs, their chances of being let go are slim to none. Is reform for the teacher firing process a needed step for the education system of California?