Myths about teacher tenure   (May 05)

Myth #1:  “Tenure is a guarantee of lifetime employment.”

The truth is that tenure is not a guarantee of a lifetime job.  It is an assurance of fair treatment—a procedure for dismissing teachers which guarantees due process and impartial consideration of the facts.

Myth #2:  “You can't fire a tenured teacher in Alaska.”

The truth is that tenured teachers are dismissed every year in Alaska under due process procedures.  When difficulties arise under the law, it is almost always inept application by administrators, not the law itself, that is at fault.

Myth #3:  “Tenure is designed to protect teachers.”

The truth is that tenure was developed and exists primarily to protect students and schools from political, social and economic interference with students' right to a continuing program of quality education.  Students deserve the best instruction available, in schools staffed by qualified professionals hired and retained on the basis of professional criteria, not for prejudicial or other inappropriate reasons. 

Because of the critical importance of academic freedom in delivering quality education, tenure protects teachers from arbitrary dismissal actions.  Tenure also defends against external pressures that would restrict the students' right to learn.

Myth #4:  “Tenure protects the incompetent teacher.

The truth is that it is not tenure, but sound evaluation practices, that identify an ineffective teacher.  In the absence of improvement, the teacher can be dismissed under due process provisions. 

Myth #5:  “A good teacher doesn't need tenure.

The truth is that all teachers need the protection of tenure.  It is the outstanding teachers who are most needed in our schools to maintain and improve the quality of instruction.

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