<P> Former chancellor of DC public schools, Michelle Rhee, had made plans to eliminate teacher tenure altogether . Rhee designed a pay plan which would compensate teachers by giving them big pay raises in exchange for their tenure protection rights . She gave existing tenured teachers the choice to accept this proposal . New hires would be forced to accept this new pay plan . New hires would be paid on the basis of their students' achievement . While teachers would prospectively be able to make more money under this pay plan, they would not be granted any tenure protections . Rhee's plan was unsuccessful . Teachers did not want to give up their tenure protections for a higher salary . After this plan failed she continued to devise plans . She offered a buyout plan for existing teachers with tenure . In 2009, she created a plan called IMPACT . This plan tied students performance on state tests to teachers evaluation . While this plan gained the support of many, there were still many others who opposed it . </P> <P> Supporters of tenure argue that tenure is necessary in making education systems successful . Tenure protects teachers and allows them to participate in unfavorable activities . For example, teachers are able to fail poorly performing students regardless of how influential they are to the school . Supporters also assert it protects teachers' freedom of speech . Freedom of speech is especially important when teachers write articles on issues which their administrators may not be in favor of . Those in favor of keeping tenure also argue that teachers are fired easily when they commit serious crimes or are ineffective . Supporters of the tenure system say tenure is not keeping teachers who would commit such crimes in the system . In some states, schools are required to pay more to teachers who have earned higher degrees, and tenure allows teachers to secure a job, go back to school, and return to their jobs, not fearing dismissal because of their higher pay grade . Supporters liken tenure to the concept of seniority in other jobs . Teachers are often forced into uncomfortable situations (such as failing students, choosing certain students). An employee who makes decisions of a difficult and confrontational nature would thus require job protection . Many who are against the motion of reforming / eliminating tenure argue that tenure allows teaching to become a profession rather than just a job . Presumably, teachers would not have as much job stability and would be forced to transfer from school to school . Giving teachers permanent positions would allow them to form bonds and relationships with students, parents, and other faculty . </P> <P> Many states have recently made reforms to their tenure system . Some of these states include: </P> <Ul> <Li> California was the first state to adopt a tenure system . They have made many attempts to reform their system . One of the more recent attempts was made by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in January 2005 . He tried to pass an act (Excellence in Teaching Act) which would pay teachers on the basis of their performance . He also wanted to enact the "Put the Kids First Act" which would extend the probation period of teachers to five years (it is currently two years). This act would also allow a school to fire teachers after two unsatisfactory ratings . The school would no longer have to give the teacher 90 days to improve their performance before being fired . This stirred up much controversy among the teachers in California . The act was voted on and was never passed . </Li> <Li> Florida - In 1997 a major movement toward reforming tenure took place . This reform is considered a success . This tenure reform reduced the probationary period a teacher worked to achieve tenure to 97 days instead of a year . During those 97 days, a teacher could be fired without just cause . The results of this tenure reform do not seem to be making any major improvements in Florida's tenure system . Only 101 of Florida's 10,689 new teachers were dismissed by the school in 1998 . While this reform is considered a success, teacher unions stepped in and won back many protections . In 2009, a new plan was proposed . Legislators wished to get rid of tenure for all new teachers . Tenure would be replaced with yearly renewable contracts . After ten years, a teacher would be eligible for renewable contracts which would last up to five years . This plan was never passed by the Senate . </Li> <Li> New York - In 2007, Mayor Michael Bloomberg voiced his concern that although teachers could be let go easily during the three year probation period, they hardly were . In 2008, Bloomberg introduced the Principal Portal . This was a tool that principals would use to help evaluate their teachers . It gave them guidelines to follow and base their decisions on . The Principal Portal was successful . The number of teachers let go during their probation period doubled in the first year . Bloomberg also wished to have students test scores incorporated in the tenure process . </Li> </Ul>

When do you get tenure as a teacher