California Lawsuit Attacks Teacher Employment Rules
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Seven California schoolchildren are suing the state in an attempt to overturn five laws that they say protect bad teachers, leading to disproportionately low academic achievement among poor, minority students.
The lawsuit, sponsored by nonprofit education reform group Students Matter, was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Monday against the state and Gov. Jerry Brown, as well as state education officials and two school districts: Los Angeles Unified and Alum Rock Union in San Jose.
The suit challenges five statutes that govern teacher employment in California, arguing they are unconstitutional because low income students tend to get stuck with ineffective teachers and low educational outcomes.
The questioned statutes encompass procedures for seniority-based layoffs, teacher dismissal, and teacher tenure.
Officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
