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A Queer Dilemma
In opening up the topic of a lesbian teacher who believes she lost her job because she was a lesbian, we want to make it clear that some of our best friends are lesbians. While it is clearly swimming against the tide to defend the school in question (see the comments to the linked article), we nevertheless don our bathing suits and dive right in.
The most effective schools (see the body of research known as the “effective schools research”) are known to have a clear school mission. Among other things, the staff in these schools share “an understanding of and commitment to instructional goals, priorities, assessment procedures and accountability. Staff accept responsibility for students’ learning of the school’s essential curricular goals.”
If a school is forced to employ a teacher who is not fully committed to its mission, its effectiveness is compromised. Is this good for the students? We’re just asking….