Rhee's 'Plan B' Targets Teacher Quality Strategy Might Include New Evaluation Process, Linking Licenses to Classroom Performance  by Bill Turque--Sept 8

Apparently talks with the union regarding teacher-pay have not progressed to a vote in D.C....  What does that mean for Michelle Rhee, D.C. Chancellor?  It looks like Plan B. 

"It would make the District school system one of the few in the country to link the licensing of teachers to their classroom performance, rather than their academic credentials. New rules, scheduled to go into effect this week, would grant State Superintendent of Education Deborah A. Gist the discretion to create an advanced teaching credential specifying the bench marks instructors would have to meet to keep their jobs."

Ouch!  Sounds like this could be messy...  But I have to admit, I don't think this is a bad idea. 

"The contract is the way that I would prefer to go," Rhee said. "But if we can't get to agreement on the contract, there's another very clear way that we can get there. . . . The bottom line is we are going to bring accountability in a very significant way to the educator force in this school district."

Why shouldn't teachers be held accountable for making gains in their classrooms?  As long as teachers are provided with adequate 21st century resources, showing gains in academic performance should be easy-shmeazy...  (I'm not one to easily run scared). Come on in and inspect all you want!    Now someone once told me that there are two kinds of bosses, those that get what they expect and those that get what they inspect...  And really, I'd prefer to work for someone who has high expectations and then prove them right. 

But unfortunately, our education system is heavy with dead weight--it is time for a bit more accountability--and I'd like my pay to be attached to that accountability, too--Thank you very much!  Seems like it would be in the best interest of the D.C. union members to take Rhee up on Plan A because Plan B gets the same result, potentially without the big bucks to soften the blow...

I'm going to continue to follow this spectacle--Rhee is a true strategist--let's see if she comes out on the winning team :)  Go Michelle!

 


Comments

Scott
09/14/2008 22:10

Boy, I think I'd go for plan A all the way. Possibly it's too late, however, as it seems that plan B has already been put into motion. Is there going to be a plan C when teachers in Washington D.C. decide to quit teaching altogether?

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j.j.
09/14/2008 22:13

Whatever the plan, Rhee is stirring things up.That is exactly what DC needs.I'm all for teachers being held accountable.

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