Teacher Tenure Measure Passes
Governor Bill Haslam’s bill to make getting and keeping tenure for Tennessee teachers tougher has passed the house. The proposal was approved 65 to 32 this afternoon. It will require teachers to wait five years before they can earn tenure instead of three. In a press release, Governor Haslam says the bill is intended to “make great educators feel rewarded and appreciated for their efforts.” However, local teachers are saying this new measure will do more harm than good. “I think it will encourage people to leave the state to find teaching positions and also it will encourage them to leave the teaching position period. They will seek other employment,” said Medina teacher Benny Boals. Lawmakers still have to decide exactly how the state will regulate the standards teachers must meet to keep their tenure before it goes into effect.
