The state Court of Appeals hears arguments this morning from four parents who claim Minnesota’s teacher tenure laws protect ineffective teachers and prevent low-income students and those of color from receiving a quality education. The parents appealed after a district court judge dismissed the lawsuit last October, saying the plaintiffs did not establish a clear connection between academic achievement and due process for teacher tenure laws. The group says ineffective teachers often end up in low income schools because they have the hardest time filling teacher vacancies. The Education Minnesota teachers union says the lawsuit is a distraction from the real problems facing schools. Although not directly related to this case, changes in teacher licensing laws is one issue in Governor Mark Dayton’s court battle with Republicans after he vetoed operating funds for the legislature.