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Thursday, October 7, 2010

Post Tech - Rupert Murdoch champions Rhee in public schools reform

Post Tech - Rupert Murdoch champions Rhee in public schools reform

Rupert Murdoch champions Rhee in public schools reform

Rupert Murdoch is no fan of government regulation. But the outspoken head of News Corp. believes in sweeping U.S. educational reform and is a big fan of embattled D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee.

In a speech at the annual awards banquet for the Media Institute, Murdoch addressed a crowd of communication regulators, lobbyists and executives. He said more people like Rhee need to stay in place to overhaul an educational system that overspends to protect ineffective teachers through their unions and the politicians who support them. He said no business could ever operate like the monopolies that school districts have become, without performance goals or consequences when those goals weren't met.

"Occasionally I hear the leaders of the teachers union say they support reform," Murdoch said. "But I'm here of the view of Michelle Rhee, a