Education Commissioner Peter McWalters wants to prevent Providence teachers from bumping colleagues with less seniority.  The practice ruins the culture of affected schools, and emphasizes seniority over qualifications and relevant skills.  This is a change that is long over do.  I assume the union will complain, but McWalters doesn't seem worried:

McWalters made it clear that contract language will not stand in the way of the changes he expects.

“I’m saying that seniority is not an appropriate way to manage the assignment of teachers based on what we know in the 21st century,” he said. “It’s no longer about teacher preferences. It’s about whether the teacher is the best match for that particular student.”

This may put both Brady and the commissioner on a collision course with the Providence Teachers Union; seniority has been the standard for filling vacancies when there are layoffs. Although he hopes for cooperation, McWalters said, if it comes down to a legal battle, he won’t back down.

“I don’t doubt I have the authority,” he said. “I also have the obligation and the responsibility.”

     I fully support these changes.  I just hope they are implemented without having to make concessions in other areas.  After all, we don't want to make an improvement in one area, only to give in to the union on something else.  It's about time that the best interests of the students are being put first.


http://www.projo.com/ri/providence/content/Providence_schools_order_02-19-09_HGDCEV9_v13.3d6a2d6.html