June 12, 2007
When Agitators Become Insiders
The Washington Post this morning reports that Mayor Adrian M. Fenty is ousting D.C. Superintendent Clifford Janey and replacing him with Michelle Rhee, a dynamo who runs the NYC-based New Teacher Project.
This is obviously a huge move for the mayor, who took control of the city schools today. I am a big fan of Rhee, especially since her guts to bluster ratio is pretty much unmatched in public ed today. But bomb-throwing, hard-charging reform-types have a tendency to either flame-out after battling against the Education Cartel with both hands tied behind their backs (remember, despite the appearances, superintendents don't really run the show) or they disappointingly find themselves seduced by the status quo's excuse-making machine.
Again, I love the work that Michelle has done in the area of human resources and teacher contracts. She's got the kind of chutzpah it takes to stare special interests in the face and put common sense ahead of petty demands.
But she's also taking on one of the toughest jobs in public education. If we have learned anything in the last 20 years, it is that public education itself may simply not be reformable in its current state. The Great Man Theory doesn't have a great track record of teaching kids how to read, write, and do math.
Here's to hoping that you beat the odds, Michelle. Honestly. Let us know how we can help.
Eduwonk is all over the TFA angle here. Will he start calling her Two-L?
Kudos to Mayor Fenty for sending a clear message that he means business.
