Statement of Support from Kevin M. Johnson

Founder and Chairman, St. HOPE; three-time NBA All-Star

 

Improving educational outcomes for students in urban schools is the foundation of St. HOPE. We know from our experience that the quality of teachers is central to raising the achievement of our students, and everything that can be done must be done to ensure that students, like those we serve at St. HOPE, are taught by great teachers.

If we want to level the playing field for urban students, then schools need more control over whom they hire. Professional coaches can’t be held accountable for winning if they are forced to play athletes who don’t have the skills or don’t fit the needs of the team. Of course, education isn’t a game; there’s too much at stake. But, in the same way that a coach cannot win without being able to pick his or her team, schools cannot succeed unless those who lead them are empowered to choose the best team of teachers for their students.

The New Teacher Project’s report demonstrates the many ways that staffing rules in big city contracts keep that from happening, negatively affecting hundreds of thousands of students in schools across the country. There are many fabulously talented teachers out there, but unless they are the right fit for a school, they cannot help their students win academically. It’s time to take an honest look at the effects of these rules on urban schools, and start working to level the playing field for students, teachers, and administrators. By doing so, we all win.