Schools for Tomorrow Blog

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Nowhere is education in more dire straits than in Washington, D.C. Of course, overhauling a dysfunctional system inevitably leads to turmoil and disaffection. But a new poll from the advocacy group Education Reform Now shows overwhelming support for the course of action taken to fix D.C. public schools. Not only the more modest reforms but also some of the messier business of reform elicits widespread approval:

In one of the most surprising elements of the poll, respondents were asked about the controversial March 6^th firing by [D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle] Rhee of 98 DCPS employees under her newly-won ability to classify non-unionized central office workers as “at will” employees. The change was requested by [Mayor Adrian] Fenty and Rhee and approved by the City Council.

Two-thirds of respondents indicated they support Rhee‘s argument that she was attempting to establish a culture of accountability in the school system…

Take a look at this article from The Economist to see what truly bold teacher pay reform looks like. Will this fly? It seems doubtful. But it’s intriguing, and ratchets up the debate several degrees. Another intriguing move by Michelle Rhee. (Hat tip to Alex Ooms).