Thursday, January 6, 2011

Michelle Rhee: The Radical - School of Thought: 11 Education Activists for 2011 - TIME

Michelle Rhee: The Radical - School of Thought: 11 Education Activists for 2011 - TIME

Michelle Rhee: The Radical

ALEX WONG / GETTY IMAGES

Love her or hate her, Rhee commands attention. Not long ago, when people found out I worked in education, they would ask what I thought about vouchers. Now they ask what I think about Rhee, who stepped down as Washington schools chancellor in October after a tumultuous three-year tenure that contributed to the political problems that cost her boss, Mayor Adrian Fenty, reelection last fall. Rhee raises the tension level in schools by unapologetically asking uncomfortable questions about today's educational arrangements — which she argues are designed to protect the jobs of teachers and administrators rather than improve student learning. The media relishes her bombastic style, and her new organization, Students First, rolls out in 2011 promising an even more visible role for her in the national education debate. Rhee's vow: to raise $1 billion to be used to support reformers and



Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2040867_2040871_2040934,00.html #ixzz1AGG1hNWq