A revolution may be occurring in big city schools.  I learned this from Charlie Rose's recent interview of a truly remarkable educator, Michelle Rhee, who has taken on reform of the Washington DC School District with strong backing from Mayor Adrian Fenty.  The mayor has dismissed the school board and is managing the schools directly.  Ms. Rhee seems confident, poised and serene, and indicates she is negotiating a revolutionary new contract with the teachers union to emphasize accountability and merit-pay -- amidst sniping from the usual "community organizers".  Conservatives tend to favor privatization and school vouchers as proselytized by Milton Friedman, however, Ms. Rhee's reforms may have a chance of success within the political constraints.  While I encourage you to view the interview, some notable facts that struck me:1. She notes that legislation just passed to allow her to treat the administrative staff as "at will" employees,...(Read Full Post)