LT, Teachers' Union Officials Like Education Reform Law

An education reform bill signed Monday by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is getting passing grades from Lyons Township High School officials and the state union that represents its teachers.

 Dr. Timothy Kilrea, LT superintendent, said Senate Bill 7, “gives schools a little more flexibility on determining who to keep. It’s not simply seniority-based.”

The appraisal of teachers and the schools will be connected to student performance measures, and not just grades, according to the superintendent. He said the district is working on just how that connection will be made.

Teachers in District 204 are represented by the Illinois Education Association and locally by special education teacher Brian Murray, who will not return to school until August. But IEA President Ken Swanson said, “This legislation makes it possible for high-performing young teachers to remain in the classroom even during difficult economic times.”

Senate Bill 7 changes the seniority policy  of  “last-hired, first-fired” that school districts use to decide which teachers to lay off, makes it easier for school districts to fire underperforming educators and makes it harder for teachers to go out on strike.

The IEA, Illinois Federation of Teachers and Chicago Teachers Union all supported the legislation.

At Monday’s ceremony in Maywood, Swanson called the legislation, “a historic shift in long-held positions by everyone involved in the legislation.”

Kilrea praised the strong collaborative effort among politicians, educators and teachers associations. "The focus is on education and students and is designed to put the best teachers in the classroom.”

He said he thinks the district already does an outstanding job of keeping the best teachers in the classroom.

Swanson said, “Tenure will be attained on the quality of teaching for the first time.”

His comments can be seen at:

http://blip.tv/ieanea/reform-bill-sb7-signed-into-law-5273004