The Arkansas Education Association sends around a statement cheering a new national report that suggests part of the problem with poor teachers is that there’s a “pervasive indifference” to evaluating teachers. (In other words, don’t blame tenure or the perceived inability to fire bad teachers for their presence in classrooms. Blame the lack of a good system to assess teachers, This includes a failure to recognize excellence, as well as to root out the inadequate.)

The report was based on reviews of four states, including Arkansas. Find out all about it here. It’s not likely to move the convinced. The Walton U. crowd will still blame  the unions, even though most districts in Arkansas don’t have them.

Advertisement

I must repeat my tired old rant. I’ve seen schools where principals knew good teachers, made them feel welcome and didn’t renew slackers — unions and potential lawsuits be damned.  These were successful schools (yes, even in bad old LR). It can be done. I’ve seen schools with less rigorous leadership and predictable results. Are there enough such good leaders and teachers to stock all the schools in the country? It’s a big task, given the money available, the competition from other professions and the teacher commitment necessary even in the best situated school, never mind all those populated by indifferent-to-resistant students from uninvolved homes.

50 years of fearless reporting and still going strong

Be a part of something bigger and join the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been tackling powerful forces through our tough, determined, and feisty journalism. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 email subscribers, it's clear that our readers value our commitment to great journalism. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating – as little as $1 –, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Take a stand with the Arkansas Times and make a difference with your subscription or donation today.

Previous article Just ducky Next article The race to the rear