Rhee for Montgomery County School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Simple as that. She is arguably what DC needed, but Montgomery County is whole 'nother ball of wax. Would rather have someone with more experience dealing with such a sprawling suburban school system with definite vocal factions, all of whom raise good points, but each of whom are somewhat myopic in their focus. We need someone who can unite these voices and see what is good overall for everyone - not someone who will exacerbate the current divides.

. I don't think it is possible to unite all the factions in the MCPS. The system is too big and the student body too diverse. I agree we need someonevwho will listen to all, but that person also has to have thevresolve to do what they think is best regardless of what a vocal faction says.

Absolutely.

As a new family to the MoCo schools, what are the different factions/voices and how much of a problem is it?

And do people generally think Weast has done a good job?

[Anonymous]

I can't stand Weast. I think he is arrogant and self-serving.
His myopic view of "closing the gap" (an important goal) has led him to ignore other groups in the school population, such as special needs kids and gifted kids.

I can't wait for him to be gone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't stand Weast. I think he is arrogant and self-serving.
His myopic view of "closing the gap" (an important goal) has led him to ignore other groups in the school population, such as special needs kids and gifted kids.

I can't wait for him to be gone.

This previous poster nailed it! I couldn't have said it any better. Weast advocated on behalf of one group and one group only ... at the expense of all others.

[Anonymous]

I hope you all realize that Rhee is not any different. NCLB and "closing the gap" are terms that each educational leader - to survive - must embrace.

I am guessing that once Weast leaves he'll change his tune quite a bit, realizing that he's elevated his status by breaking the backs of teachers and passing students along w/o ever truly challenging them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't stand Weast. I think he is arrogant and self-serving.
His myopic view of "closing the gap" (an important goal) has led him to ignore other groups in the school population, such as special needs kids and gifted kids.

I can't wait for him to be gone.

This previous poster nailed it! I couldn't have said it any better. Weast advocated on behalf of one group and one group only ... at the expense of all others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't stand Weast. I think he is arrogant and self-serving.
His myopic view of "closing the gap" (an important goal) has led him to ignore other groups in the school population, such as special needs kids and gifted kids.

I can't wait for him to be gone.

. Special needs students and gifted students combined make up no more than 20% of the student population. I agree that Weast did seem to focus on the 15% of the students with the lowest test scores. But how about putting some effort toward the 65% of the student population that are the regular, run of the mill, don't get any era attention students? If the gifted students are truly gifted, let them get scholarships to private schools. I'm tired of so much funding being directed away from the non-gifted students. Though I think some additional funds should be added to special education.

[Anonymous]

I think the point is, 15:49, that every child deserves an appropriate and challenging education -- there can't be a one-size-fits-all approach.

If you look closely, Weast's approach does exactly what you describe -- pushes everyone towards the middle.

And believe me, private schools don't offer merit scholarships.

[Anonymous]

DCPS parent (who has considered MoCo). Happy to take Weast off your hands and out of retirement! Whether you like Rhee or not, the question is moot as she is not at all qualified to handle a system the size of MoCo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't stand Weast. I think he is arrogant and self-serving.
His myopic view of "closing the gap" (an important goal) has led him to ignore other groups in the school population, such as special needs kids and gifted kids.

I can't wait for him to be gone.

I agree with this, and would only add that Weast's statement that "all" kids should go to college is ridiculous.

The only thing worse than his ridiculous, expensive PR machine is the intended expenditure of our tax dollars on the RFP process to identify his replacement.

Good riddance.

[Anonymous]

Agree w/poster who stated Rhee loved her celebrity status. When she did 'pose' for the camera, it seemed more self-promotion than for rightful purposes. And she has NO real experience.

[Anonymous]

I'm not at all impressed with Rhee. She's definitely a media hog--that's for sure. But has she ever produced any stats to prove that school scores in DC have INCREASED during her tenure?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Plus, she wants to get married and move to CA!

My understanding is she is already married. Are you implying she wishes to marry again -- 2 husbands?

She's engaged and would be marrying for a second time. Her fiance is the mayor of Sacramento. They were scheduled to be married a few weeks ago, but postponed the wedding. That's what I read not too long ago.

Back to the original question--I would not support her for MCPS. Her style is very off-putting and would probably not be a good match for our system. DC schools definitely need someone who can put them on the right track. She probably had some good ideas, but style actually means a lot in terms of effectively achieving one's goals for the system. And. like another poster, I'm not sure how substantial her results were.