Watch this episode of Oprah that she was on Dec 6, and join STUDENTS FIRST and help a cause that will change America.
http://www.studentsfirst.org/pages/about-michelle-rhee
Michelle Rhee who is 41, is the former chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools system of Washington, D.C and an be seen on the current cover of Newsweek. She is a mother of two girls, former public school teacher, divorced and now engaged to a former NBA basket ball player. Six chiefs have tried to fix DC’s schools in the past ten years—and failed. When she started this job at 37, this Korean-American from Toledo with no experience running a school system who’s convinced she can succeed caused many important changes and drama.
Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty’s primary-election loss last month was a major reason for her resignations she says. Much to the Korean style of managing, her fearless, blunt, and occasionally undiplomatic style often got her into trouble with her peers. . Rhee aggressively sought to reform a school system whose students produced below-average test scores. She became known for a no mercy, straight-forward approach, seeking to purge public schools of teachers and principals who were incompetent.
WRITTEN ON WIKIPEDIA:
In 2008, Rhee closed 24 schools would close due to excess capacity. Also announced was a plan to add early-childhood programs, gifted and talented programs, art and music classes, and special education services to District schools.
She also became the target of the Teacher's unions. Why? The controversial move to end teacher tenure and promote "merit" pay. She renegotiated how the school system compensates teachers. Rhee offered teachers the choice of: being paid up to $140,000 based on what she termed "student achievement" -- but losing tenure; or, retaining tenure -- but earning much smaller pay raises. She firmly believes that in order to move forward we need to get rid of the bad and lazy teachers that are causing the children to fall behind.
In 2010, Rhee fired 241 teachers, all whom received poor evaluations, and put 737 additional school employees on notice. Teachers were observed by administrators and outside professionals for five 30-minute sessions during the year, and the teachers' performance was rated during those sessions.
Rhee's actions have earned her applause from "school reformers" nationwide, as well as the scorn of teacher unions and community activists.
She announced her resignation as chancellor on October 13, 2010 and has now started STUDENTS FIRST.
Oprah is a big advocater of her work and I think this is going to be a revolution. CHeck it out, click the title above. Join.
