LOS ANGELES SCHOOLS WILL FIRE 110 TEACHERS FOR POOR WORK

Associated Press

2/11/2010 -- LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Unified School District plans to fire more than 110 teachers this year because of poor performance — three times the yearly average.

The probationary teachers received negative ratings on job evaluations and won't get tenure. Over the past four years, the school board has denied tenure to about 35 teachers a year.

Superintendent Ramon Cortines ordered poorly performing teachers removed last December, saying that could save the jobs of better — but less senior — teachers if the financially struggling district has to order layoffs this summer.

State law requires the district to lay off tenured instructors based on seniority, not performance.