The Politics Of Education With Michelle Rhee
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2012-08-30/politics-education-michelle-rhee
Republicans gathered for their national convention this week in Tampa, Fla., are talking tough about the influence of teachers unions on school systems across the country. Michelle Rhee, the former chancellor of D.C.'s public school system, attracted nationwide attention for challenging teachers on sensitive issues like tenure and accountability. We talk with Rhee, who was in Tampa this week, about what she wants to hear from Republicans and Democrats when it comes to education policy.
Guests
Michelle Rhee
Founder and CEO, StudentsFirst; Former Chancellor, District of Columbia Public Schools
Comments
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Will Ms. Rhee call for an independent investigation of cheating allegations in DCPS using the same investigation standards as the governor of Georgia required for the investigation in Atlanta?
My children attend the same school system as I did as a child, here in Montgomery County. Their education is unfortunately no where near the level that I received. The two biggest differences is that they spend, I would say waste , at least half the year preparing for the standardized tests at least 3 days a week, instead of learning new material. And, there is very little differentiation at the elementary level, leaving many kids bored to tears, and still others feeling overwhelmed. We had a few exceptional teachers who took the advanced kids aside to teach them on their level, but some of those were disciplined. I think it is telling that close to half my children's teachers quit by the time we had left the school. These folks are tired of being treated as nothing more than robots, serving up "meals" dictated by the state and not being trusted to teach material that their students are ready to receive. It has been a very discouraging experience for us.
If you want to improve school performance then you have to teach and show respect for education and the teachers who deliver it. Don't tell me the Republicans have done that - endorsing fake science like intelligent design, screaming at teachers in a meeting - yes you Christie, and then cutting funds for those programs that can support the working parents and the poor.
I agree that many things have to change in the education of teachers and there should be national standards as in most well performing school systems abroad. But we also have to pay teachers a decent living wage, teaching is no longer what wives do when their kids are in school, while their husbands bring in the "real" money.