Bill seeks to end tenure system in Missouri

Last edited Fri Feb 10, 2017, 07:18 AM - Edit history (1)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A Missouri lawmaker who is proposing eliminating tenure for professors at all of the state's two- and four-year public colleges and universities says tenure is an outdated system that is no longer needed to protect teachers from being unjustly fired.

Rep. Rick Brattin, a Harrisonville Republican, said eliminating tenure would save public money, give schools more flexibility and bring higher education in line with other industries, The Kansas City Star reported.

Brattin, a military veteran who owns a Cass County construction company, said his bill would end tenure-track hiring in 2018 but would not take tenure from those who have already earned it.

To earn tenure, associate professors must publish several research articles and have a history of successful teaching over a probationary period that can last seven years.

Read more: http://www.newstribune.com/news/missouri/story/2017/feb/06/bill-seeks-end-tenure-system-missouri/660408/