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Perceptions of Tenure: Opinions

From New Jersey and North

Carolina Regarding Reform Efforts

By Stacey Brown, Ed.D., Supervisor of Humanities, Readington School
District

Tenure Reform these opinions seem to align them- 2015). Proponents of tenure reform
Tenure continues to be a significant selves with personal and political claim the highest quality teachers do
focus of public education. Tenure law agendas and lack a consistent focus not need to fear reform efforts. Since
differs by state, and reforms vary from on the best interests of students. well-performing teachers are needed
traditional changes that took place Tenure supporters claim that strength- by schools to effectively educate chil-
in New Jersey to more aggressive ening principals’ power to dismiss dren, it would be counterproductive for
changes that eliminate tenure for spe- teachers would be detrimental (Fran- administrators to dismiss their highest
cific groups in North Carolina. zen, 2012a), and contend that tenure performing staff members (Franzen,
2012a).
is necessary to protect teachers from
A review of literature regarding tenure arbitrary dismissals (Dickman, 2010).
makes it clear that there are differ- Tenure also allows teachers the need- Enacting tenure reform is complicated
ing opinions regarding tenure’s real ed freedom to implement best prac- by several factors. The lack of rigor and
purpose and benefits. In some cases, tices in their classrooms (Shumway, specific criteria in the teacher evalu-
ation process makes fair observation

Educational Viewpoints -92- Spring 2019