"A California judge today ruled the state's laws governing teacher tenure and the firing of public school teachers unconstitutional, saying they interfere with the state's obligation to provide every child with access to a good education."

"The plaintiffs in the case, Vergara v. California, argued that the tenure system for public school teachers in California verges on the absurd, and that those laws disproportionately harm poor and minority students. In his ruling, Judge Rolf M. Treu agreed."

"'Evidence has been elicited in this trial of the specific effect of grossly ineffective teachers on students,' Judge Treu wrote. "'The evidence is compelling. Indeed, it shocks the conscience.'"