Scott Craig, a student at Wilfrid Laurier University, has the ability to judge an unknown teacher's teaching effectiveness based on whether or not he has a wedding ring on his finger. With Craig, the wedding ring shows whether the teacher has the communication and personal skills necessary to commit to a marriage (A4). For many teachers, tenure provides academic freedom. It provides job security in times that require years of research and a six-year probationary period to obtain (Greene, O'Connor, Good, Ledford, Peel, and Zhang 427-429). The role was created to set a standard for teaching and research among teachers and be guaranteed a job for life without feeling like their superiors were constantly watching them. However, many students, faculty and critics believe the mandate is being abused and has caused more harm than is productive. This issue leads to the controversial question of whether or not teachers receive tenure? According to Robert Lowman of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, the article "The Changing Role of Tenure at the American Research University" shows the flaws associated with tenure. In Lowman's article, the author provides details on how tenure worked to establish a baseline of high standards that teachers must meet to be welcomed back after the six-year probationary period. Should an educator fall below standards, his or her superiors are expected to notify him or her by April 1 of the sixth year, and termination occurs during the seventh year (Lowman 259). Causing poor performing teachers to be eliminated before they can continue to be ineffective at that school. Lowman believes that the tenure system is flawed, due to the fact that colleges focus too much on academic research carried out in the middle of the paper, from each of them the conclusion can be drawn that reform is needed for the growing problem of the teachers' mandate. Works Cited Bernstein, Marc F. “Delaying Teacher Tenure for the Sake of Education.” School Administrator 63.5 (2006): 51. Comprehensive Education Text (H.W. Wilson). Network. March 2, 2012.Kwalwasser, Harold. “Overselling the myth of the bad teacher and his tenure.” School Administrator 68.1 (2011): 39. Comprehensive Education Text (H.W. Wilson). Network. March 2, 2012. Lowman, Robert P. “The Changing Role of Tenure at the American Research University.” Psychologist-Manager Journal 13.4 (2010): 258-269. Academic research completed. Network. March 3, 2012.McMahon, Michael. “College students want their say in the role.” The Toronto Star February 12, 2000: Ed. 1. LexisNexis. Network. March 8, 2012 "I didn't slow down once I got the mandate." Chronicle of Higher Education 57.18 (2011): D15-D16. Academic research completed. March 3. 2012.