Education Week- POST #1- Rhee Reflects on Her Stormy Tenure in D.C.

I was initially drawn to this article because I am fascinated on the role of politics in education. I had an amazing opportunity to work as an intern at the Department of Education during my undergraduate years. While I was there the staff was preparing for the transition between Stan Bunn and Susan Castillo as Superintentant of Education. I quickly learned that the changing of administrators can stop policies in the process of being formed and sometimes reverse those that already exist. As an example, during my internship I worked with the CAM design team and the vision of the Certificate of Advanced Mastery was never fully implemented the way it was intended under Stan Bunn's reign. Susan Castillo took the focus of educational policy in a totally different direction and from what I hear in the staff room at Sheridan High school, many educators hope there will be another change in administration soon!

When I started reading this article, I was leary about some of the policies enacted by Michelle Rhee, chancellor of D.C. schools. Personally, I have never been in favor of any actions that focus on paying teachers based on performance. However, after reading about some of Ms. Rhee's accomplishments, I began to rethink the issue. The quote at the end of the article by Ms. Rhee stating that she was devastated by the election results, not because of the impact it may have for her, but because of the impact it will have on the students made me feel like her methods deserved a second reflection.

I was very impressed with the increase in graduation rate and the increase of the number of students taking the SAT to enter college that occured after the controverial changes Michelle Rhee made. While many also appreciate the increase that also occured with test scores, I find that to be less of a measure of student success. I do agree with some of the critics that Ms. Rhee may have opened herself up for some criticism by not having regular and clear communication with her staff and the public to let them know what her goals were, why specific changes were being made, and the positive results that stemed from those changes. The cost savings from some of the changes would have also been beneficial to communcate to tax payers, especially. Publicizing even small accomplishments is important for individuals in a position of leadership to show that they are being effective and making progress.

In conclusion, I was impressed with results of the changes Ms. Rhee made in Washington D.C. I hope that the next person elected to her position will also have the best interest of students at heart, and will look closely at the successful outcomes of the policies Ms. Rhee enacted, before rushing to judgement.