Thursday, September 30, 2010

All Opinions Are Local - Michelle Rhee’s reforms have helped heal D.C. schools

All Opinions Are Local - Michelle Rhee’s reforms have helped heal D.C. schools

Michelle Rhee’s reforms have helped heal D.C. schools

By Steve Holmer,
Washington

After reading Courtland Milloy’s Sept. 27 Metro column, “Quick to see others’ shortcomings, Rhee should concede her own,” I couldn’t help but wonder what city he’s talking about.

The incompetence and negligence that once characterized D.C. government had one holdout by 2005: the public school system. The main reform that was needed was to get rid of the administrators who couldn’t administer, the principals who couldn’t lead and the teachers who couldn’t teach. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) and Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee deserve credit for pushing for this overdue change. I hope the new mayor doesn’t try to bring those underperformers who were fired back into the school system.

We shouldn’t let Mr. Fenty and Ms. Rhee’s perceived shortcomings in communication and leadership style undercut what’s been