Hmmm, what's this? See why I am wondering about how to deflect pressure
on teachers about grades?
--Keith
TOLEDO, Ohio, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- A high school science teacher who
denied he was too strict with his students has been fired for
``ineffective teaching.''
The Toledo Board of Education voted 5-0 Tuesday night to terminate
the contract of Shehrever Masters. School administrators said his
inflexible approach to teaching caused about 80 percent of his students
to fail or drop the class last year.
Masters said he simply maintained high standards for student
performance, and refused to lower them in order to give more passing
grades.
Last month, an independent arbitrator ruled that Masters could be
fired or reassigned to teach an elective honors science class. The
school board did not consider the second option.
Masters, 40, who taught for nine years in the Toledo Public Schools,
said he would not appeal the school board decision, and planned to seek
another job.
Masters had been suspended without pay since August. The effort to
fire him sparked controversy among some students and parents who
defended Masters' teaching style, which emphasized classroom lectures
and nightly homework assignments.
His critics said Masters was cruel to slower students in class, and
unwilling to offer lab instruction and other projects that were part the
curriculum.