Students to testify against state’s teacher-tenure laws

monkeybusinessimages/Getty Images/iStockphoto Four city students and two from Rochester will be plaintiffs in a suit to squash student-teacher tenure laws.

Four city students and two from upstate Rochester will step up as plaintiffs in a new suit to squash the state’s teacher tenure laws.

But legal and education experts say the fight could be an uphill battle.

The Partnership for Educational Justice, founded by television journalist-turned-activist Campbell Brown, is spearheading the case to have job protections for teachers declared unconstitutional on the ground that they deprive kids of their right to a sound basic education.

“These families want what all families want,” said Brown. “They feel they have no choice but to ask the courts to step in.”

Brad Barket/Getty Images The Partnership for Educational Justice, founded by television journalist-turned-activist Campbell Brown, is spearheading the case to have job protections for teachers declared unconstitutional on the grounds that they deprive kids of their right to a sound basic education.

Two weeks ago, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled that incompetent teachers were nearly impossible to fire and were concentrated in poor and minority neighborhoods — making tenure a violation of students’ civil rights.

The suit from Brown’s group will probably be filed this summer. The identity of one child in the suit, Jada Williams, 15, of Rochester, has been revealed.

Experts said the case faces a rockier road in New York.

moodboard/Getty Images/moodboard RF Two weeks ago, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled that incompetent teachers were nearly impossible to fire and were concentrated in poor and minority neighborhoods — making tenure a violation of students’ civil rights.

“I think there is less chance of a victory here than in California,” said David Bloomfield, a professor of education at Brooklyn College.

California teachers are granted tenure after 18 months, compared with three years in New York. City education officials are trying to draw quality teachers in impoverished neighborhoods through bonuses.

Mayor de Blasio said he thinks the suit is bunk. “We’re on the right track and we don’t need a lawsuit,” de Blasio said.

Mark Bonifacio/New York Daily News David Bloomfield, a professor of education at Brooklyn College and the City University of New York, says that there is a less of a chance of victory here than in California.

But Devora Allon, a lawyer who is litigating the case, was optimistic. “I think we have a real chance of success,” she said.

With Jennifer Fermino

Yahoo Local News – New York Daily News

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