In case you missed it: Layoffs, seniority

This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.

Pressure Mounts to Ax Teacher Seniority Rules NPR
In New York, the State Senate passed a bill that would remove seniority protections from teachers facing layoffs. Districts across the country are facing layoffs, and debate is brewing about how to select which teachers to lay off.

See also: Teacher layoffs probable; new way proposed Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Teacher Layoff Plans in Los Angeles Pose Broad Implications The New York Times
The real but misunderstood incentive to remove senior teachers Gotham Schools
Group of young teachers petitions to preserve seniority rights Gotham Schools
Statement of Arne Duncan on the National Call on Flexibility and Productivity U.S. Department of Education
With layoffs coming, it’s time to stand up for seniority The Notebook blog

Tight Budgets Mean Squeeze in Classrooms The New York Times
Due to many budget cuts and teacher layoffs, many public school class sizes are becoming larger, hindering the work of parents and education reformers who have been working toward smaller class sizes.

See also: When It Comes To Class Size, Smaller Isn’t Always Better TIME

Jay Mathews: Amid the SAT-Obsessed, this family doesn’t live by the numbers The Washington Post
In a society in which parents and students are very competitive in the college choice and application process, one family treats the process a bit differently.

Evaluating New York Teachers, Perhaps the Numbers Do Lie The New York Times
Experts have developed a complex formula to calculate how much academic progress a teacher’s students make in a year. The formula shows that some excellent teachers may not have the scores to prove it.

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