California Proposition 74 (2005)
Encyclopedia
Proposition 74 was a ballot proposition
in the 2005 California special election
that intended to extend probationary periods for the state's public school teachers from two years to five before attaining tenure
. It failed at the polls, with 55% of voters rejecting it.
sponsored a bill to amend the state Constitution
to require merit pay for teachers. The state legislature voted against the bill in February 2005. The next month, Governor Schwarzenegger formally endorsed the Put Kids First Act, written and submitted by Assemblymember Bonnie Garcia (Republican, Cathedral City). That act laid out the conditions for Proposition 74, including increasing probationary period from two to five years and allowing school districts to dismiss teachers who receive two consecutive negative job evaluations. It qualified for the ballot June 6.
Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments:
and economic advisor to the governor George Shultz and Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Pete Mehas, supported Proposition 74. Prop 74 was one of four propositions (the other three were 73
, 75
, and 76
) the governor touted as his reform package.
One major point the proponents constantly cited was a horror story: A Riverside
teacher swore at her students, showed them R-rated movies, and generally was a bad teacher; however, due to tenure rules, the district had to pay the teacher $25,000 USD to quit. They said that Proposition 74 would make it easier to fire these kinds of teachers because they had a longer tenure period and less paperwork and procedures to fire a teacher.
and California Federation of Teachers, as well as state superintendent of education Jack O'Connell
, opposed the measure. Arguments that the unions presented against Proposition 74 included that its new requirements would discourage new teachers and encourage school districts to lay off older teachers for costing more in salary and benefits, all while doing little to nothing to improve classrooms.
California ballot proposition
In California, a ballot proposition is a proposed law that is submitted to the electorate for approval in a direct vote . It may take the form of a constitutional amendment or an ordinary statute. A ballot proposition may be proposed by the State Legislature or by a petition signed by members of...
in the 2005 California special election
California special election, 2005
The California special election of 2005 was held on November 8, 2005 after being called by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on June 13, 2005.-Summary:...
that intended to extend probationary periods for the state's public school teachers from two years to five before attaining tenure
Tenure
Tenure commonly refers to life tenure in a job and specifically to a senior academic's contractual right not to have his or her position terminated without just cause.-19th century:...
. It failed at the polls, with 55% of voters rejecting it.
Background
New Jersey actually became the first state to pass tenure legislation when, in 1910, it granted fair-dismissal rights to college professors. The Incumbent law, passed in 1983, required that teachers be evaluated for performance during a two-year probationary period before gaining tenure. In the winter of 2004, California governor Arnold SchwarzeneggerArnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
sponsored a bill to amend the state Constitution
California Constitution
The document that establishes and describes the duties, powers, structure and function of the government of the U.S. state of California. The original constitution, adopted in November 1849 in advance of California attaining U.S. statehood in 1850, was superseded by the current constitution, which...
to require merit pay for teachers. The state legislature voted against the bill in February 2005. The next month, Governor Schwarzenegger formally endorsed the Put Kids First Act, written and submitted by Assemblymember Bonnie Garcia (Republican, Cathedral City). That act laid out the conditions for Proposition 74, including increasing probationary period from two to five years and allowing school districts to dismiss teachers who receive two consecutive negative job evaluations. It qualified for the ballot June 6.
Summary (From the State Attorney General)
Proposition 74: Public School Teachers. Waiting Period for Permanent Status. Dismissal. Initiative Statute.- Increases length of time required before a teacher may become a permanent employee from two complete consecutive school years to five complete consecutive school years
- Measure applies to teachers whose probationary periodProbation (workplace)In a workplace setting, probation is a status given to new employees of a company or business.It is widely termed as Probation Period of an employee...
commenced during or after the 2003-2004 fiscal year. - Modifies the process by which school boards can dismiss a permanent teaching employee who receives two consecutive unsatisfactory performance evaluationPerformance EvaluationPerformance Evaluation is an international journal published by Elsevier. The current Editor-in-chief is Philippe Nain. The journal was previously published by North-Holland Publisher.-Editors:*1981–1986 Hisashi Kobayashi*1987–1990 Martin Reiser...
s.
Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments:
- Unknown impact on school district teacher salary costs as a result of changes in teacher tenure and dismissal practices. Fiscal impacts could vary significantly districtSchool districtSchool districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
by district.
Support
Governor Schwarzenegger, along with former United States Secretary of StateUnited States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
and economic advisor to the governor George Shultz and Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Pete Mehas, supported Proposition 74. Prop 74 was one of four propositions (the other three were 73
California Proposition 73 (2005)
Proposition 73, the Parental Notification Initiative, would have amended the California Constitution to bar abortion on an unemancipated minor until 48 hours after physician notifies minor's parent/legal guardian, except in medical emergency or with parental waiver...
, 75
California Proposition 75 (2005)
Proposition 75 was a ballot proposition in the California special election, 2005.- Summary :Proposition 75: Public Employee Union Dues. Required Employee Consent for Political Contributions...
, and 76
California Proposition 76 (2005)
Proposition 76 was a ballot proposition in the state of California in the referendum election. It involves school funding, state spending, and is an initiative constitutional amendment...
) the governor touted as his reform package.
One major point the proponents constantly cited was a horror story: A Riverside
Riverside, California
Riverside is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, and the county seat of the eponymous county. Named for its location beside the Santa Ana River, it is the largest city in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area of Southern California, 4th largest inland California...
teacher swore at her students, showed them R-rated movies, and generally was a bad teacher; however, due to tenure rules, the district had to pay the teacher $25,000 USD to quit. They said that Proposition 74 would make it easier to fire these kinds of teachers because they had a longer tenure period and less paperwork and procedures to fire a teacher.
Opposition
California's two teachers unions, the California Teachers AssociationCalifornia Teachers Association
The California Teachers Association , initially established in 1863 as the California Educational Society, is by far the largest teachers' union in the state of California. It is considered by many to be the most powerful union in California...
and California Federation of Teachers, as well as state superintendent of education Jack O'Connell
Jack O'Connell
Jack T. O'Connell is an American politician and the former 26th California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, having been elected to the post in November 2002 with 61% of the vote. He was re-elected to his post by receiving a majority of the vote in the Primary election on June 6, 2006,...
, opposed the measure. Arguments that the unions presented against Proposition 74 included that its new requirements would discourage new teachers and encourage school districts to lay off older teachers for costing more in salary and benefits, all while doing little to nothing to improve classrooms.