AFT chief vows her union will revise teacher-dismissal process

National leadership of the “other” teachers’ union, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), is stepping up to the plate in a movement towards the sort of professional responsibility we see in other organizations like the American Medical Association.

Education Week announced today (subscription) that Randi Weingarten, president of the AFT has agreed that she is, “putting the sensitive issue of due process on the education reform table, with a pledge to work with districts to streamline the often-cumbersome procedures for dismissing teachers who fail to improve their performance after receiving help and support.”

Now, will our dominant union, the Kentucky Education Association, look at how the growing professionalism at the AFT works and make similar moves, or will the KEA continue to protect teachers tooth and nail under every condition even when it is clearly not in the best interests of children – or even the reputation of the profession itself and its many hard-working, talented and dedicated teachers?