NEW YORK – In the runup to next week’s court hearing in the Wright v. New York case, the Partnership for Educational Justice today launched a campaign highlighting New York’s failed teacher dismissal process and policies. PEJ will highlight a range of cases where tenured teachers cited for egregious misconduct and abuse were allowed to return to the classroom following dismissal proceedings under the State’s 3020a statute.
“We know that quality teaching is the most important factor in determining whether a child succeeds,” said PEJ Founder Campbell Brown. “Yet New York’s education policies place little emphasis on teacher performance – instead, they make it nearly impossible to dismiss teachers engaged in egregious misconduct while doing little to reward high performing teachers. If you’re absent from the classroom without explanation for 113 days in 3 years, you should be replaced by a committed teacher – it’s just common sense.”
Examples from the social campaign are below:
Case # 4932
Case # 5207
Case # 5317
You can find this campaign starting today on PEJ’s social media channels, including Twitter (twitter.com/part4edujustice) and Facebook (facebook.com/Part4EduJustice).
ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE
Partnership for Educational Justice helps students, families and communities advocate for the great public schools they deserve through coalition building and legal action. All children, no matter their background or circumstance, deserve access to a sound education. The inequalities that exist in our educational system are the civil rights issue of our time. Motivated by a pervasive lack of meaningful progress in ensuring a supportive learning environment for all students, Partnership for Educational Justice challenges antiquated education laws that prevent public schools from providing all students with an excellent education. Targeted litigation will be supported by an aggressive communications campaign at the local, state and national level. Through its work, Partnership for Educational Justice will mobilize families, community stakeholders and organizations to form effective coalitions that increase pressure on legislators and other decision makers to reform our educational system. Founded by Campbell Brown, an award-winning journalist and writer, Partnership for Educational Justice is a recognized 501(c)(3) organization.
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