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Former D.C. school chief: Advocacy plan 'not about a war' with teachers unions
December 7th, 2010
09:03 AM ET

Former D.C. school chief: Advocacy plan 'not about a war' with teachers unions

American Morning’s John Roberts talks to controversial education reformer Michelle Rhee about her billion dollar plans to form an advocacy group that she says will “shift the balance of power” in education.

Rhee explains how the group will encourage reform, why politics must be apart of the equation.

Rhee stepped down as chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools in October, after three-and-a-half years as head of the troubled school system. She talks with CNN about her work in D.C., where she closed two dozen failing schools, laid off hundreds of teachers, and brought private money into schools.

Controversial D.C. school reformer takes agenda national

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Filed under: Education • TV-American Morning
soundoff (10 Responses)
  1. Mmmmm

    Knucklehead Rhee need to realized most problems lie with management not the teachers. Closing schools and laying people off is expensive and wasteful. Only those teachers failing to perform should have been removed. Education isn't about politics...whenever politics becomes involved the welfare and well being of the students is not the priorty. Indiscrimminate firings is a sign of incompetency. It is provendential Rhee not being there long either. DC need to focus on parental involvement at the school. Those school with high parental involvement always success. Rhee is a failure! The nation will also can her agenda!

    December 7, 2010 at 9:58 am | Report abuse |
    • LETSdosomething

      I am glad to see that Michelle is willing to dedicate the time it will take to reform our school systems. I agree that our children fall way behind other countries level of education. I would actually like to see the school day lengthened to 9am to 5pm. It is tough to have parent involvement when they are at work from 8am to 5pm. Instead of putting all these children in after school programs, why don't we continue the education process during this time. I also think teachers should be fired for not performing. There should be a review process once a year that evaluates the teacher and any comments made by parents. Another thing, in Nevada, we have started a program where 4 days a month are shorted so the teachers can receive continuing education. How about continuing education on your own time, not the kids time. Many other professions require continuing education and they don't do it during work hours. It seems that every year the school year gets shorter. This can't help in the education process. I think we need to do away with school related unions. Michelle is right when she says we always worry about the adult in the equation but not the kids. Lets get started with change NOW!

      December 7, 2010 at 10:52 am | Report abuse |
  2. LiveNewLife

    Knucklehead – please proof copy

    December 7, 2010 at 10:25 am | Report abuse |
  3. tom7001

    “Michelle Rhee has fired over 1000 teachers and administra¬tors over questional¬ble "test scores" , and replaced them with Teach for America candidates¬. This program, supported by Federal Grants, can enter the classroom after five weeks of training. I wonder how she would rate her own performanc¬e during her three year teaching stint, she publically admits to taping kids mouths shut, and some bleeding upon removing the tape! Will this be part of her new school reform?

    December 7, 2010 at 10:30 am | Report abuse |
  4. Piaget101

    Looks like Knucklehead is a product of our public educational system. Rhee is a breath of fresh air.

    December 7, 2010 at 10:51 am | Report abuse |
    • Mmmmm

      It depends on whose face she's breathing! Apparently the stench was offensive enough to boot her azz out of DC. The focus is the student and the mission is that they learn. From the article it is quite apparent Rhee's agenda did not focus on this..,as evident by massive layoffs and closing schools. Limiting resources is what she did. Only knucklehead croonies would advocate this women letting fireman go while the fire is still raging. A kindergartner could have ident Rhee's problem.

      December 8, 2010 at 7:33 pm | Report abuse |
  5. VoodooShaman

    Good maybe Ms Rhee can hunt down Ms.Drake and the rest of the weasels from my formative years... She'd probably have to hunt down herself too.

    December 7, 2010 at 11:37 am | Report abuse |
  6. John

    She would have been fired by the new mayor if she didn't resign. Wonder what % of this fund will go to her as a salary. Shes a crook.

    December 7, 2010 at 2:30 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Realist

    NYS spends more than twice per capita per student than any other state and yet we still rank 40th in the nation. I wish she would come here

    December 7, 2010 at 2:53 pm | Report abuse |
  8. tom7001

    “Michelle Rhee has fired over 1000 teachers and administra¬tors over questiona¬ble "test scores" , and replaced them with Teach for America candidates¬. This program, supported by Federal Grants, can enter the classroom after five weeks of training. This greatly increased her operating budget, making her look good, but at whose expense? I wonder how she would rate her own performanc¬e during her three year teaching stint, she publically admits to taping students mouths shut, and some bleeding upon removing the tape! Will this be part of her new school reform? What does she need the billion dollars for? Sounds like the self proclaimed “Michelle Rhee first campaign”! For more on her corruption charges just google “Michelle Rhee corruption”…

    December 8, 2010 at 12:48 pm | Report abuse |
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