The Unintended Consequences of the Lompoc [California] Apprentice Teacher Support System: A Firsthand Account

Juan Necochea


DOI: 10.2190/J9WU-KDKA-XCT8-9K0U

Abstract

This article describes the experiences of a principal participating in the Lompoc [Calif.] Apprentice Teacher Support System (LATSS), a program connected to California s Beginning Teacher Support initiative. The program led to improved labor relations as a result of increased collaboration between union and management. Although supporting beginning-teacher support pro-grams as a rule, the principal describes confrontations with LATSS over a master teacher s observations that a teacher successful at motivating hard-to-teach students was not meeting district teaching standards. Several potential, unintended consequences of LATSS are reviewed, including some that could lead to the homogenization of teaching and a possible reduction of learning opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.

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