Study questions seniority-based teacher layoffs
If Washington laid off teachers based solely on which had the least seniority, researchers say it would significantly impact students' ability to learn.
The Associated Press
A study of Washington state teachers has found that deciding layoffs based solely on which teachers have the least seniority has a significant impact on students' ability to learn, adding to a growing chorus calling for schools to take a hard look at union contracts dictating who gets to keep their jobs.
The study comes as tens of thousands of teachers around the country stand to lose their jobs next year as federal stimulus money dries up. In most places, union contracts and other policies generally dictate that the least experienced teachers are the first to go.
But that comes at a price, according to the study released exclusively to The Associated Press on Thursday.
The Center for Education Data and Research at