Desert Sun: No on 74

Two for two:

Of course, the current tenure system is flawed. Statistically speaking, there are teachers in the system who shouldn't be, but remain just because dismissing them is too difficult. In the Los Angeles Unified School District, only one or two tenured teachers are dismissed annually despite the fact that about 40,000 are employed. Given much higher dismissal rates in the business world, it seems incredulous that public schools' firings would be so low, especially after principals have had only 12-18 months to evaluate a new teacher.

Given this, the Legislature needs to show courage and take up the issue. Increasing tenure to three years, as it was in California until about the mid-1970s, would give administrators more time to evaluate new teachers yet not put the state at a competitive disadvantage for new hiring.

Despite Proposition 74's good intentions, it's not the solution. Voters should send the measure back to its authors with the instructions, "Do over."

You know, I think part of my problem is echoed here. Five years does seem like a long time, especially when compared to other states. A three year tenure term seems like a moderate and reasonable solution.

Let's hope the Desert Sun can keep up the streak.