Final arguments set in suit over CA teacher tenure

Attorneys in Los Angeles are set to make their closing arguments in a lawsuit that seeks to radically change California’s longstanding teacher-tenure law.

Attorneys for the nine public-school students who brought the lawsuit say lifetime teacher tenure has made it all but impossible for California’s school districts to get rid of incompetent instructors. The lawyers say that deprives students of their rights to a good education.

Attorneys for the state and the teachers unions say the burden rests on school administrators to recognize and rid their districts of incompetent employees.

They also say the 18-month probationary period teachers are placed on before being granted tenure is time enough to weed out incompetents.

Attorneys are scheduled to begin their closing arguments Thursday before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Rolf Treu.