Dear Colleagues,
Today, the chancellor took the unfortunate step of instructing principals to use test scores as part of the criteria for granting tenure. It is a shame that rather than doing the hard work of trying to create a better process — something we have been working on with the state — the chancellor chose to make up his own misguided rules and rely on tests the state has deemed unreliable for this very purpose. This is clearly another example of mismanagement.
Each and every one of us strives to help our students become good citizens and lead successful lives. We enter this profession to make a difference.
Unfortunately, our work in the classroom is frequently politicized by people who are interested more in furthering their own agendas than in actually doing what is right for children. Without thoughtful consideration of all that goes on in a classroom, teachers and their students are vulnerable to those political whims, which ignore the complexity of teaching in favor of shortsighted decisions and shallow soundbites.
No one is above the law. In order to protect you and your students from this ill-considered plan, we will pursue any and all legal remedies available to us.
Sincerely,
Michael Mulgrew
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