Just 233 teachers have agreed to buyout days before deadline

With just days left before the deadline, only 233 teachers in D.C. have signed paperwork accepting a highly controversial buyout deal offering bonuses of $1,000 to $20,000 to leave the historically underperforming school system.

Chancellor Michelle Rhee introduced the teacher transition awards program on April 11. She said the teachers union had been hearing that large numbers of educators planned to flee. She wanted an incentive pay arrangement to encourage those looking to leave to make a decision so the school system could better absorb the changes.