The Chroniclers Community is searching for solutions to problems related to the education, training and preparation of individuals to be self-sufficiently able to attain their aspirations and to be knowledgeable participants in self-governance.

The Solutions Framework is useful for outlining a problem and follows this format:

Problem Identification

Determining if teacher tenure has diminished the quality of education or is simply a scapegoat for a host of other problems.

Why We Care?

If teacher tenure is protecting teachers with limited teaching skills, their students are being shortchanged and society is being deprived of the well-prepared citizens a qualified teacher can nurture.

Who is Hurt/Helped?

Teacher's unions and any marginally qualified teachers they represent may benefit from the current tenure system. Students, parents and all of society suffer when, for the lack of a qualified instructor, students are ill prepared to be full participants in society.

Origin of the Problem

Tenure began early in the last century and typically required ten years of successful teaching to obtain. In California that time frame is now just two years.

Is the Problem Critical?

The 2010 released Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) survey revealed the U S ranked 14^th in reading skills and 25^th in math among 15-year-olds in 34 countries. Students in China's Shanghai region took top honors.

How to Solve the Problem?

Describe how you would solve this problem with the Solution Form

Resources*

U.S. Teens Lag as China Soars on International Test
John Hechinger reports on the OECD findings.

A Brief History of Tenure
M J. Stephey gives an historical perspective of tenure in the U S.

Ringing the Bell for K-12 Teacher Tenure Reform
Patrick McGuinn examines teacher quality in the U S system.

What's Wrong with American Education
Sherwin Steffin writes about the importance of teaching "critical thinking".

*To submit additional resources see the top of this page.

(image) Student teacher in China teaching children English.