Nine California public school students are suing the state in a challenge to laws on teacher tenure, seniority and other protections that the plaintiffs say keep bad educators in classrooms.
The lawsuit that goes to trial Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court is the latest skirmish in a growing nationwide challenge to union-backed protections for teachers.
Lead attorney Theodore J. Boutrous says Los Angeles Unified School District Supt. John Deasy will be called to testify by the plaintiffs.
The non-jury trial is expected to wrap up in March.
States across the country have recently abolished or weakened union-backed protections to give administrators more flexibility in firing teachers who aren't performing.
Teachers' unions are fighting back, arguing the changes lower morale, deny teachers due process, and unfairly target older teachers.
http://www.kwtx.com/news/national/headlines/Students-Sue-To-Challenge-Teacher-Tenure-Law-242082381.html
