As we reported in TQB volume 4, number 11, the state of California is looking to close a $30 billion statewide budget gap by cutting back on education costs and significantly reducing the number of teachers. Thousands of teachers statewide--even those recruited just last year--are vulnerable to being laid off. This situation presents us with a classic case of "life-boat ethics." Given that some seem destined to be let go, the question is "Who should be fired?"

California's collective bargaining agreements generally dictate that the newest teachers are the first to go. That means that the first ones fired will be those with a temporary contract, followed by teachers with the least experience.

But, some teacher quality advocates may argue, doesn't this lose sight of the fact that some of the best teachers aren't the oldest and some of the worst aren't the newest? Wouldn't it be more rational, in hard times, to get rid of the worst performing teachers? Unfortunately for California's students, neither is there the flexibility in California teachers' contracts for principals to make this judgement nor does California have the value added data that would make the process as fair as everyone would like.