Fighting for America's Kids: A Discussion on K-12 Teacher Tenure

Indianapolis, IN

This thesis will explore public opinions on K-12 teacher tenure in the United States and possible solutions to increase student academic performance in the classroom. Specifically, current and past educators will be asked a series of open-ended questions and, if they support the elimination of K-12 teacher tenure, asked how they believe legislators reform public education in the United States. Among the barriers preventing sweeping educational reform is the extensive financial resources and political influence of teacher unions. In 2016 alone, the two largest teacher unions – National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers – contributed more than $32 million to national political candidates across the country (“Teacher Unions”). This amount of influence over America’s political system has made it nearly impossible for significant policy reform without the support of the unions. Because of this massive sphere of influence, educators will specifically be asked how they believe legislators can persuade national teacher unions to desire the elimination of teacher tenure in the field of K-12 public education.