By Paul Jacob

Thara Memory is a big name in the jazz scene in Oregon. He's a respected trumpeter with a well- known "funk" sound. Jazz afficionados in Portland and elsewhere know his work well. But what not everybody knows is that he also has a day job.

He helped set up the music program at a magnet school in Beaverton, Oregon. The school's jazz band is, under his direction, quite impressive.

Unfortunately, Mr. Memory will soon be . . . a memory.

You see, though Memory is a big name in jazz and a proven teacher, he's no longer eligible to teach in Oregon. He hasn't gone through the hurdles the state has set up for teachers at state schools. He was supposed to have gone to class and taken tests and paid money to the education establishment. His temporary teaching permit is running out.

So he'll be sent out on his well-trained ear.

Why didn't he go through all the hurdles? Well, he's a musician. His prime job is to keep his chops in shape. He plays jazz by night. Go to class to learn what he already knows so well? Why would any expert in his right mind want to do that?

That's why some people wonder why Oregonians -- or citizens anywhere -- would want to keep such teaching restrictions on the books. These rules are there to limit the competition and thus increase wages for teachers. Union members prefer seniority and (in the teaching biz) continuing education to be the standard for their jobs and their pay. Not performance.

A sour note in modern education? You bet. Just ask the kids in the jazz band.

This is Common Sense. I'm Paul Jacob.

Common Sense is published by Americans for Limited Government. Their website can be visited at www.limitedgov.org.