This concept seems common sense to us, but in Kansas we currently have a bill to eliminate collective bargaining much more extensively than in an agreement reached by the superintendents’ association, the school boards association and the teachers unions and a bill to eliminate an exemption from criminal prosecution for teachers regarding presentation of material “harmful to minors.” See http://cjonline.com/news/2015-02-04/after-reaching-own-compromise-education-groups-oppose-teacher-negotiations-bill.

And at the end of last session we had the removal of due process (not tenure) for teachers. Given our current environment where school funding is at risk, our populations in need of extra academic services are increasing, and the demands on students coming out of K-12 are rising, it seems like we are scapegoating, demonizing and demoralizing teachers. We want our teachers to do their best to improve the academics and lives of our children, but are these bills the way to accomplish that? Are we encouraging bright young people to go into teaching? Are we thanking teachers who are doing well? Are we motivating teachers to give 100%?