The 50-State Comparison on teacher employment contract policies provides a national comparison of teacher employment contract policies in all states. All of the information was gathered from and focused on state statutes and regulations. State case law was also utilized for metrics related to collective bargaining. Data collection focused…

Personnel evaluation systems have historically failed to identify and remediate low-performing teachers. In 2012, Chicago Public Schools implemented an evaluation system that incorporated remediation and dismissal plans for low-rated teachers. Regression discontinuity estimates indicate that the evaluation reform increased the exit of low-rated…

MySpace and Facebook are innovative digital communication tools that surpass traditional means of social interaction. However, in some instances in which educators have used these tools, public reactions to them have resulted in sanctions. With the notion that traditional ideas of privacy and teacher conduct are not yet defined in online worlds,…

In 1976 the Edmonton (Alberta) Public School Board resolved to designate administrative positions on a three-year term. The Edmonton public school local of the Alberta Teachers' Association attempted to prevent the implementation of the new policy. After this attempt was unsuccessful, six employees of the school board who accepted term…

An elementary school teacher from Worcester, Massachusetts, was reprimanded and received a two-day suspension and a series of involuntary transfers after being reluctant to turn a case study (done for a college class) of a disturbed student in to her principal. Rights of privacy of public employees are discussed and Supreme Court decision in…

The peer review system for evaluating schools (the "Toledo Plan") is gaining favor among teachers in other school systems. Schools are generally reluctant to dismiss incompetent teachers because of documentation complexities, but incompetent teachers should nevertheless be weeded out. (TE)

This document describes the legal requirements for certificate suspension and revocation of North Carolina public-school teachers. Associated with its ability to administer teacher certification in the state, the State Board of Education also has the authority to suspend or revoke certificates. A question-and-answer section addresses issues of…

Public school collective bargaining will not work unless management approaches negotiations as a two-way street and demands from the union what it requires to protect its own interests. With today's surplus of available teachers, management has the opportunity to reclaim prerogatives it has abdicated through past negotiations. In particular,…

This guidebook provides a general overview of procedures that may be followed in staff misconduct situations. Following the preface and introduction, part 1 contains four chapters that present information on general misconduct procedures, serious misconduct requiring immediate suspension, the presentation of a case at a hearing, and misconduct…

This document describes legal requirements that pertain to the dismissal or demotion of career status employees in the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The interpretive analysis section notes that the employer may terminate the employment only for specified reasons and by stated procedures. The grounds for dismissal or demotion…

The second edition of this guidebook, written for principals and supervisors, provides a general overview of procedures to follow in staff misconduct situations. Following the preface and introduction, part I discusses general procedures for handling misconduct and includes guidelines for conducting investigations and school-level meetings. Part…

This document addresses legal requirements for and issues in the nonrenewal of probationary teachers in North Carolina. The interpretive analysis section points out that in order to protect itself against a charge of nonrenewal based on prohibited reasons, the school board must develop a written record that documents factors for its decision. A…

This paper presents the findings of a 4-year study that examined 225 cases of alleged sexual abuse of students by teachers. Data were collected through interviews with 225 superintendents who had dealt with incidences of sexual abuse--184 in New York State and 41 in other states. An analysis of 10 of these cases included interviews with…

This work provides sample letters, charts, timelines, and checklists, to help principals adequately prepare for possible teacher dismissal. Chapter 1, "Describing the Marginal Teacher," lists traits common to marginal teachers. Chapter 2, "Establishing the Teacher Evaluation Process," presents a monthly timeline for assessing…

An article and three responses on sexual harassment in higher education are presented: "Sexual Harassment in Higher Education: What We've Learned" (Anne Truax); "Who Is Responsible for Sexual Harassment?" (Barbara G. Taylor); "The Feminist-Unionist Dilemma" (Sherna Berger Gluck); and "Sexual Harassment and…