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Thursday, February 25, 2010

Lawsuit: Layoffs hurt minority kids The Educated Guess

The Educated Guess

Lawsuit: Layoffs hurt minority kids

Posted in Achievement GapAdequacy suit
Regulations for teacher layoffs are a prime example of how interests of adults are put ahead of those of children, especially minority children. Now, that system, along with state budget cuts that set it in motion, will face a court challenge.
In a case with statewide implications, the ACLU of Southern California and other public interest and pro bono attorneys are suing the state and Los Angeles Unified, charging that teacher layoffs have savaged three low-performing, low-income middle schools. All three have been thrown into turmoil since between half and nearly three quarters of their teachers got layoff notices last year.  Most eventually did lose their jobs because of  rules that dictate that less experienced teachers must be the first to go, regardless of how good they are with students and how well they fit in the school.
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