Education Law

She's back...

Time magazine, which is often considered an archive for American events, has an educational pioneer on the cover this week. While we know that BoardBuzz regulars know Michelle Rhee well, the majority of Americans don't get to see school superintendents (chancellors) in the mainstream media. With the headline reading, "How to Fix America's Schools" and Rhee's photo staring straight ahead, one might assume she's the cure to America's urban schools. The article features Rhee with some background information. In case you're not up on the rise of Michelle Rhee, here's a summary:

Grew up in Toledo, Ohio Graduated from Cornell University Taught in Baltimore City Schools for three years as part of Teach for America Started an organization for new teachers called New Teacher Project In June of 2007, she was appointed Chancellor of D.C. Schools

But can she fix D.C.'s schools? She's definitely taking some new stances in urban education and shaking things up. She's fired many principals, consolidated central office workers, and had a "take no prisoners" attitude with her work ethic. She's negotiating with the teacher's union and has a plan to give incentives to pay teachers over $100,000 a year. Even President Elect Obama shouted her praises in the final debate saying she is a "wonderful new superintendent."

What caught our attention wasn't Rhee (we know about her), but the fact that it was the cover of Time. With all of the problems in America and the challenges the new administration faces, we're surprised that this made the cover. In a way, it's good to bring this to the attention of those outside the Eduwonk world, isn't it? Even though we have questions about the methods to the way the D.C. schools is governed, bringing the matter front and center will only help Rhee, D.C. schools, and urban districts around the country focus on the common goal of improving student achievement, graduation rates, and bridging the gap. At least we're hoping so.

Full post as published by BoardBuzz: NSBA's Daily Weblog on December 01, 2008 (boomark / email).