Thursday, the Virginia Senate votes on a bill for teachers that would do away with teacher tenure.

Delegate Dickie Bell introduced the bill. It's passed in the House, and now it needs the Senate's approval.

Senator Mark Obenshain introduced a similar bill, but his version died in the Senate by a vote of 21-19.

Obenshain says the idea behind the legislation is to get the education system to operate more like the private sector.

No tenure for teachers, but they could have three year contracts.

Obenshain says it's part of their education reform efforts.

"One of the great criticisms and concerns is that great teachers don't get rewarded," says Obenshain. "The teachers who aren't pulling their weight end up being there year after year because they have tenure."

If the bill passes through the Senate, it will return to the House of Delegate for their approval once more.

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