Bumping might finally be coming to an end in Providence.  Starting next year, 6 schools will interview teachers and evaluate their credentials when deciding who to choose to fill vacancies.  The changes will go into effect for all Providence schools in 2010.  Credentials and experience will determine where teachers work, rather than how many years they have been able to hang on in the system.  What a novel idea.  Of course, not everyone agrees with rewarding the most qualified teachers.  Chief among them is Steve Smith, President of the Providence Teacher's Union:

“He ignored our ideas,” Smith said. “This doesn’t empower teachers. It relies solely on the principal’s authority.”

According to Smith, Brady knew that the union was preparing its own hiring policy, an assertion that Brady denied.

If the union’s recommendations aren’t taken seriously, Smith said, it will have no choice but to file a lawsuit.

     Let's see if I understand Steve Smith.  If teachers are chosen based on the degrees they 've earned and the good work they've done, they're not "empowered."  Yet, if they've done little more than take up space for many years, they are empowered  This is nonsense.   According to this logic, well-qualified teachers will get nowhere until those with seniority are out of the system.  This doesn't empower anyone.  It just tells the good teachers to sit tight and wait they're turn.  Their hard work and ambition are wasted.

     I wonder if Mr. Smith thinks this empowerment is good for the students.  While I was a student at Mount Pleasant High School, I can remember having teachers replaced in the middle of the year.  From what I hear, this practice hasn't slowed down one bit.  I don't see how this can be good for students.


http://www.projo.com/news/content/providence_ends_bumping_04-10-09_E8E0B35_v22.378f46b.html