Educational Issues Forum: Teacher Tenure (Vergara v. California)

November 03, 2014



Vergara v. California: Will it make a difference for students? The judge’s initial ruling in the Vegara v. California case would eliminate five key provisions in the state’s Education Code that govern teacher employment and dismissal. If upheld on appeal these changes would eliminate some employment protections for teachers, extending the time to “tenure” and limiting the role of seniority in decisions about employment and assignment. This forum will explore the question of whether and how these changes matter in the context of the larger challenge to provide high quality teachers for all students in California schools.

Moderated by John Merrow, a contributor to the PBS News Hour, the forum brings together leading educators and policy experts to address questions including:

Will the removal of job protections improve the distribution of teachers? What kinds of policies and preparations might attract and retain teachers in high-needs schools? And, what other conditions do we need to help improve the quality of teaching?

Panelists include:

  • Na'ilah Suad Nasir, Graduate School of Education, UC Berkeley
  • Linda Darling-Hammond, Graduate School of Education, Stanford University
  • Katharine Strunk, Rossier School of Education, USC
  • William Koski, Stanford Law School
  • Shannan Brown, President, San Juan Teachers Association
  • Susan Moore Johnson, Graduate School of Education, Harvard University
  • Julie Koppich, J Koppich & Associates
  • Matt Wayne, Hayward Unified School District