DC to fire hundreds of teachers

WASHINGTON - The D.C. Public Schools are firing 241 teachers and warning more than 700 other employees that they could be fired in the next year if their performance doesn't improve. The firings announced Friday total 302 school system employees, including the 241 teachers. The firings come as a result of the first year of a new teacher evaluation system. The evaluation is based largely on five observations and measures of students' academic progress. Based on those evaluations, 729 additional employees are being put on notice that they will be fired after the upcoming school year if their performance doesn't improve. Washington Teachers' Union President George Parker has said grievances would "definitely" be filed for each fired teacher, based on what many teachers perceived as a botched process. SOURCE: FOX DC