Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Seattle Schools Community Forum: A Kinder, Gentler Michelle Rhee? Don't Count On It

Seattle Schools Community Forum: A Kinder, Gentler Michelle Rhee? Don't Count On It:


A Kinder, Gentler Michelle Rhee? Don't Count On It


IS MICHELLE RHEE THE ANN COULTER OF EDUCATION?
You may well have heard or seen Michelle Rhee on tv in the last week.  She has a new book, Radical, that's she pushing.   I have read a few excerpts and they don't fail to startle.

As I had previously mentioned, the PBS series, Frontline, had Ms. Rhee as a focus of one show.  It was quite the show as this was during the time period when she was DC Chancellor of schools.  The reporter did a brilliant job of just letting her talk and allowing her actions and her words to speak for themselves.

Highlights from the Frontline show:

- According to the show, Rhee had worked in "ed reform" for a decade (which would likely include her TFA teaching time).  She became Chancellor in the fall of 2007.  It was the first time she was hired to be a superintendent.  (This becomes an interesting point later on.)
- As I was first watching the show, I was impressed.  Quiet, direct and early on, she seemed to want to review