By Kojo Nnamdi in WaPo: "For D.C., Vince Gray's election is a bold step backward"

[Anonymous]

Jeff, re: your post at 11:33. What is your explanation for why a black-majority DC has put up with, going on generations now, schools that rank right down there with Mississippi's as among the worst in the nation?

Doesn't it seem a wee bit suspicious to you that people point to a lack of transparency as the main problem with the schools chancellor, rather than the fact it's very hard to get a decent education in DC public schools?

Maintaining the status quo in DC schools is not an option.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, re: your post at 11:33. What is your explanation for why a black-majority DC has put up with, going on generations now, schools that rank right down there with Mississippi's as among the worst in the nation?

Doesn't it seem a wee bit suspicious to you that people point to a lack of transparency as the main problem with the schools chancellor, rather than the fact it's very hard to get a decent education in DC public schools?

Maintaining the status quo in DC schools is not an option.

This post almost perfectly encapsulates the thinking of those who apparently never cross the boundary of Rock Creek Park.

Why do black areas of DC put up with higher crime? They must be pro-crimimal.

Why do black areas of DC put up with higher levels of pollution? They must be content with reduced life spans?

Obviously, people put up with these things because they haven't had much of a choice. Poor people tend to be powerless everywhere. And, can you point out one person, one single person. who supports the status quo in DC schools? I can't believe that even now there are seeming intelligent people who believe that canard.

Why is it so hard to understand that Rhee's style of reform was not improving things everywhere? In fact, some schools are worse off. Why can't you accept that there is more than one way to reform a school system? There are probably not more than three or four people on this board that had even heard of Michelle Rhee four years ago. Now, a good chunk of you think she is the one savior of DCPS. But, just how many others are out there of whom you've never heard that can do a better job? I'm willing to bet there are quite a few.

[Anonymous]

Why is it so hard to understand that Rhee's style of reform was not improving things everywhere?

Is it improving things anywhere? Are you talking ward versus ward here? Are you saying she may help the wards that aren't "as black"?


In fact, some schools are worse off. Why can't you accept that there is more than one way to reform a school system?

What do you suggest as alternative ways to reform, and what's Gray's strategy, other than to talk more to people?

There are probably not more than three or four people on this board that had even heard of Michelle Rhee four years ago. Now, a good chunk of you think she is the one savior of DCPS. But, just how many others are out there of whom you've never heard that can do a better job? I'm willing to bet there are quite a few.

So why aren't all those people who could do a better job with DCPS coming forward?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:So why aren't all those people who could do a better job with DCPS coming forward?

Um, maybe because there is no opening yet?

[Anonymous]

That is all.