Inquirer Editorial: Don't target good teachers

A bill that would allow Pennsylvania school districts to lay off teachers solely for budgetary reasons has too many holes in it to benefit public education.

If approved, the legislation would give cash-strapped districts more flexibility to lay off teachers and other professionals when school boards are having a hard time making ends meet.

Currently, teacher layoffs can take plcce only when they are in response to declining enrollment, school closings, or changes in academic programs.

Besides allowing teacher layoffs, which almost always should be a last resort, the bill would also scrap seniority rules when making layoff decisions.

Union leaders are unlikely to roll over for that.

But it makes sense to reconsider "last-in, first-out" employment policies that can result in good but lessexperienced teachers getting the ax while veteran teachers who may be exhibiting signs of being burned out keep their jobs.

If the seniority system is going to be ditched, however, it should be replaced with an agreeable procedure that properly evaluates teacher performance.

That's one place where this legislation falls short. Important barometers such as student test scores, teacher certifications, and job performance could be used. But the bill doesn't spell out a process for determining the best and worst teachers.

Rep. Scott W. Boyd (R., Lancaster), the bill's primary sponsor, said the bill would help districts preserve educational programs and keep the best teachers in the classroom.

But without a fair system of evaluation, teachers could be subject to the wrath and whims of local school boards and administrators. Districts could target veteran, more experienced teachers for layoffs just to get rid of their higher salaries.

President Obama has called for changing how teachers are evaluated and raising the bar on teacher quality. Ineffective teachers should not be able to stay on the job simply because of longevity. The worst teachers should be held accountable, and fired, after being given time to improve.

The Pennsylvania State Education Association, one of the state's largest unions, has offered to work with local districts to cut costs. Both sides must be flexible to minimize the need for layoffs.

In another good sign, James P. Testerman, president of the 191,000-member union, has urged teachers to "seriously consider" a request by Gov. Corbett that they take a one-year pay freeze. That's a gesture worth applauding.

There are plenty of good, hard-working teachers. The challenge is making sure the most effective ones stay in the classroom to give students the best education.