Getting Rid of Bad Teachers
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LA County’s Public Health Director says it’s time to "calm down" about swine flu. Also, it’s so hard to fire a tenured teacher in California that school administrators often don’t even try. What about the rights of kids to a good education? To the Point, the newly elected leaders of the US and Israel will meet in two weeks to tackle the ongoing struggle for peace in the Middle East. Will they agree to disagree on Iran’s nuclear program and a Palestinian state?
Banner image: Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images
Main Topic
What's Next for the 'Two-State Solution?' ()
Israel's newly elected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the White House on May 18. President Obama has advocated more progress toward a “two-state solution” with the Palestinians. But Netanyahu appears to have other ideas. His supporters insist that Iran's nuclear threat is more important than peace talks. The US, Europe and Arab states contend they are inextricably linked. With the diplomatic maneuvering is hot and heavy, we hear a variety of opinions.
Guests:
- Ron Kampeas: Washington Bureau Chief, JTA
- Ori Nir: Spokesman, Americans for Peace Now
- Caroline Glick: former Assistant Foreign Policy Advisor, Benjamin Netanyahu
- Nadim Rouhana: Professor of International Negotiation and Conflict Studies, Tufts University
Links:
Making News
Swine Flu Closes Schools but Spares Lives ()
In Orange, Riverside and San Diego Counties, reports of kids infected with H1N1 virus have led to school closings. In Los Angeles County, 11 cases have been confirmed, but most schools are open. Jonathan Fielding is County Director of Public Health.
Guests:
- Jonathan Fielding: Director, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Main Topic
Getting Rid of Bad Teachers ()
On Sunday, the LA Times reported on how difficult it is to fire a teacher in California, even when evidence of misbehavior appears to be strong. In one case, a civil jury agreed with a school principal who fired a teacher for alleged repeated sexual harassment. But despite the jury's verdict, a special commission ruled that the teacher could keep his job. That case began seven years ago and it's still in the courts. We speak with Jason Song, who authored the article, and others about the obstacles facing school boards who want to fire teachers for misbehavior or incompetence in the classroom.
Guests:
- Jason Song: Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times
- A.J. Duffy: President, United Teachers Los Angeles
- Tamar Galatzan: Board Member, LA Unified School District
Underwriters
Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.
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