Firing of Providence Teachers

What do you think?

Education | Y4C Text Team & Friends | Friday March 4, 2011 5:35

Last week Mayor Taveras sent termination letters to every Providence Public School teacher.  School closings will be announced next week. Why is this happening?  The city of Providence has a LARGE shortfall and the school department is feeling the cuts. There's been protest, anger and confusion. 

We had a long discussion about what's happening in our schools and a lot came up:

- How did we get into this budget crisis?

- Why March 1st?  Why are teachers notified so early about firing or possible layoffs?  Why can't the city have time to take the time it needs to make a decision so teachers don't have to be unnecessarily upset?

- Is this an attempt to get rid of more senior teachers?

- Is this an attempt to get rid of bad teachers?

-Will rehired teachers get paid less?

It's confusing and complicated.  Here are some of our thoughts. 

So the teachers are getting fired because we have a $70 million deficit.  The immediate action goes straight to our education. First we had a debate to change the way high school students receive a diploma because educational standards weren't being met and now we're going to fire the teachers who provides us the education.  So where do we go from here?  I personally feel we are going nowhere.  To the people who feel like it doesn't concern them because they are seniors, this effects the younger generation such as your brothers, sisters or cousins or other family members.  –Diana

I'm almost a senior!  I don't want a stranger writing about me for college recommendations when they don't really know me.  Something needs to be done to determine which teachers are progressing and who's not- we need to keep track of teachers.  How can we distinguish "good" teachers from the "bad"?  - Mirien

I am really sad that the city of Providence is trying to terminate the teachers.  I have gotten really close with all my teachers and I would hate to start all over.  I feel that older teachers have more experience and the fact they are trying to hire new teachers is very insane. - Matee

I think that in the position the mayor was in there was nothing else he could do.  He only had two days to decide which teachers, if any, were to have their jobs terminated.  However, I think that the teachers should have been informed better about the situation instead of just receiving termination letters. -Drazy

It's not about seniority but about the individual.  We NEED teachers that are effective, point blank; WE NEED TO LEARN! - Elisa

What do you think?