Michelle Rhee Skirts the Law, Lays off Teachers

by Mike Smith · 2009-11-02 09:14:00 UTC
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Michelle Rhee is again causing controversy in D.C., "skirting the law by deciding unilaterally to lay off teachers and staff," reports the Washington Post. It was either do this or trim summer school programs — $9 million dollars needed to be saved from the budget. It's a decision that is leading to a lawsuit and has already seen protesters out in the street.

Rhee choose to ignore a council directive to cut summer school initiatives, coming up against a potential mayoral contenders for next year, D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray. He's shocked by her decision, explaining "Why bother to have a legislative body if the people in the executive branch do whatever they choose because they don't like the decision of the legislative body?" Chancellor Rhee is making some progress in terms of test scores and enrollment, but she simply explained "Change is hard," when testifying under oath.

There's a clear theme and philosophy that I see between this news and an Atlantic profile a year ago: Rhee's contention that she's making the changes that schoolchildren need, choosing to represent their interests rather that interests and wants of adults. Improving test scores and enrollment demonstrates progress, but at what cost?

Photo credit: Angela N

Mike Smith is associate editor at Change.org.
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