Does Rhee deserve credit

[Anonymous]

for the scores increases in her first year? She has referred to this a few times in some recent interviews. Since this is only her second school year, wouldn't the score increases be due to what was in place before she took charge? If not, what do you think she did her first year that led to this increase?

[Anonymous]

Interesting question. If you look at the press it would seem that Chancellor Rhee has a lot of supporters. Unfortunately, none of them are actual, bona fide DCPS parents. Curious, no?

[Anonymous]

(BTW, that even includes the Mayor who keeps promising to put his children in public schools "next year...")

[Anonymous]

Well, I'm a Rhee supporter in general, but I'll tell you that in the two schools in which I've been involved, the score increases can be credited to relentless teaching to the tests. That's not completely bad, because much of this emphasis reinforces the standards, which are, after all, lists of things the kids need to learn. It just limits resources for advanced students, directing them toward below- and basic kids instead. So in that sense, her score improvement policies are not in my family's best interests, because my kid doesn't need the drill. On the other hand, if higher scores attract more advanced students, my kid's situation will ultimately improve as the whole level of instruction get's lifted by the rising tide.

[Anonymous]

Oops... "gets lifted," of course

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:for the scores increases in her first year? She has referred to this a few times in some recent interviews. Since this is only her second school year, wouldn't the score increases be due to what was in place before she took charge? If not, what do you think she did her first year that led to this increase?

Given the number of her media appearances, interviews, out-of-town engagements, etc., how would Rhee even have time to do anything related to test scores?

I thought that it was interesting that when the Obamas visited Captial City Public Charter School, neither Rhee nor Fenty joined them. Obama stated that Cap. City was the "an example of how all our schools should be". The Rhee/Fenty response was to submit a budget proposal that cut the capital budget of schools like Capital City. That, along with Rhee's hints of being a McCain supporter, are examples of how in touch she is with the school system she leads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:for the scores increases in her first year? She has referred to this a few times in some recent interviews. Since this is only her second school year, wouldn't the score increases be due to what was in place before she took charge? If not, what do you think she did her first year that led to this increase?

The new tests were introduced the year before Rhee. Statistically, in the second year of testing, and 'teaching to' that test (whatever that means) there is a 'bump' as children become more familiar with the new test. The real test of Rhee will be not high scores, but sustained progress across the board for all students across subsequent years (her promised endgame to all her "reforms"). I.e. Does Billy move from a below basic to a basic in one year, and a basic to proficient the next?

I wonder if that will happen; a lot of Rhee's splashy, sexy moves that have made front page press have had all sorts of undermining, unintended consequences that have not even made the back pages. Additionally, there is a sort of mediocritizing force behind her reforms that as an educator I find disquieting. Case in point, there are a few absolutely flourishing public schools in DC from long before Rhee. Does she give them semi-independent status? Does she encourage their innovation and excellence by using them as models? No--she subjects them to the uniform, rigid mandates from downtown-often at crosspurposes to the winning programs they have set up. One size fits all does not work. Mission driven schools that actually have some built in flexibility in their programs to better serve the actual children who walk in the their doors do.

--teacher

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:for the scores increases in her first year? She has referred to this a few times in some recent interviews. Since this is only her second school year, wouldn't the score increases be due to what was in place before she took charge? If not, what do you think she did her first year that led to this increase?

Given the number of her media appearances, interviews, out-of-town engagements, etc., how would Rhee even have time to do anything related to test scores?

I thought that it was interesting that when the Obamas visited Captial City Public Charter School, neither Rhee nor Fenty joined them. Obama stated that Cap. City was the "an example of how all our schools should be". The Rhee/Fenty response was to submit a budget proposal that cut the capital budget of schools like Capital City. That, along with Rhee's hints of being a McCain supporter, are examples of how in touch she is with the school system she leads.

Rhee and Mayor Fenty are terrified by charters; rather than try to make their DCPS programs more inviting and appealing they are trying to kneecap charters. How manipulative and wrong.

[Anonymous]

"Teaching to the test" means spending weeks rehearsing sample test questions and "constructed response" prompts.

[Anonymous]

It's such a relief to see this thread and jsteele, I don't know if your children are in DCPS, but I think you are spot on...

Honestly, if the Mayor wants to retain educated professionals in his school system, language instruction, arts, and quality programs like IB are important. That means they need to have budget line and you have to fund schools other than Oyster.

Finally, do you think one of her flunkies reads this board?

[Anonymous]

I have to chime in because although I am not a fan of Rhee, she has set up a system that allows for schools that meet certain criteria to be looked at for "autonomy". We'll see how many actually get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to chime in because although I am not a fan of Rhee, she has set up a system that allows for schools that meet certain criteria to be looked at for "autonomy". We'll see how many actually get it.

That would be a first in DCPS. Where is this plan?

[Anonymous]

It's true that certain schools have applied to become autonomous. From what I understand not all schools are being offered this option. Our elementary school applied for it. We will see how it all shakes out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's true that certain schools have applied to become autonomous. From what I understand not all schools are being offered this option. Our elementary school applied for it. We will see how it all shakes out.

Would that not be similar to becoming a charter school? what us autonomous?

[Anonymous]

This would be much more meaningful if "autonomy" were defined. Given that she & the Mayor would like to reign in charter school autonomy (and charters are outperforming DCPS) I don't think I'd put a lot of weight on her vague promises of "autonomy" unless and until there's something more concrete - IN WRITING.