Politics & Government
NJ Spotlight: Waiting a Little Longer for Long-Awaited Tenure Reform Bill
Despite some favorable comments from both sides of the aisle, Sen. Ruiz's bill is still a work in progress.
The tenure reform bill from state Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) was much anticipated and long awaited, a proposal from a leading figure in the Democratic-led legislature that actually had a decent shot at passing.
It may take a little longer than expected.
Ruiz said that she had initially hoped to have the bill heard and even approved by summer. But in talks with various key players and organizations, she said a number of issues have arisen, from how teacher seniority would work to the role of principals in hiring and firing.
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Ruiz always said the bill was a work in progress, and on June 8 said that work may take some more time.
"Right now the major thing is the budget, and as I’m a member of that committee, that’s my main attention," Ruiz said.
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“There are a lot of critical issues we need to deal with in this bill,” she continued. “I don’t intend to move any of this without all the stakeholders involved.”
Ruiz's bill would change much of how New Jersey’s century-old tenure system would work. Educators wouldn’t get protection until after their fourth year, instead of the current three, and would need three consecutive years of satisfactory evaluations to keep tenure. After two years of "ineffective" ratings, they would lose the tenure protections.
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Legislature Gets a Look at the Ruiz Tenure Bill -- at Long Last
Original Post: Waiting a Little Longer for Long-Awaited Tenure Reform Bill, June 9, 2011.John Mooney is the founding editor, education writer. He has covered education in New Jersey for 15 years as a reporter for The Newark Star-Ledger and The Bergen Record and recently as a contributing writer for The New York Times. He has won numerous state and national awards, including honors from the Education Writers Association and the American Society of News Editors. John also has spoken at conferences and other events regarding school issues facing New Jersey and the role of education journalism. He lives in Montclair.
