A voter initiative on the California ballot for tomorrow (November 8) could put teachers in that state under closer scrutiny: delaying teachers' eligibility for tenure and make it easier to dismiss ineffective teachers. Proposition 74 would add three more years to the state's current probationary period. In addition, the process for dismissing tenured teachers would be simplified: principals would be able to dismiss teachers who have received two consecutive negative performance evaluations without having to declare their intentions or wait 90 days as the law currently states.

If the ballot passes, California would join only two other courageous states (Indiana and Missouri) that currently have five-year waits for tenure. By way of comparison, three states have four-year probationary periods, but most (33) offer tenure after three years. Eight states (including California) have a two-year period, while three states (Connecticut, North Dakota, and South Carolina) give teachers a virtual lock on lifetime employment after serving only one year.

The California Teachers Association has pulled out all the stops to fight the plan with Schwarzenegger facing some very angry opponents such as this teacher's husband, who took on the Governator at an unscripted event in LA:

"It's almost impossible, almost impossible to fire a teacher," Schwarzenegger said.

"No, you're wrong," the man interrupted.

Schwarzenegger asked for a chance to finish.

"No, I'm not going to let you finish, because you're wrong," the man argued.

The governor, who rocked gently back and forth on his heels during the exchange, made light of the confrontation, saying: "I like when you're passionate."

When the governor left the stage, after 30 minutes spent largely on the defensive, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nu?ez (D-Los Angeles) and Barbara Kerr, president of the California Teachers Assn., attacked his proposals for the next half-hour. They drew repeated applause and laughs from the crowd.