District Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee announced Thursday that she will move forward with her reform package, even though talks with union leaders about the teacher accountability plan remain stalled.
Rhee’s actions center around her plan for tougher teacher evaluations based on proven student achievement, and acting aggressively to oust failing instructors.
“Despite the fact that [contract negotiations] have stalled, I still have an obligation to ensure that every single child in this city has an excellent teacher,” Rhee said, adding she needs “to ensure that children are not suffering from the games adults are trying to play.”
Union President George Parker saw Rhee’s move as little more than adopting a policy to fire more teachers, and instilling fear in the minds of the well-intentioned.
“The union has never taken a position that you hold on to ineffective teachers,” Parker said. “But you’re not going to force them to do a better job through fear.”
The union demands more — and more effective — training and support for struggling teachers and principals. Rhee promises they’ll get it if they sign her contract, which comes with a $200 million bonus from foundations and philanthropists insistent upon her proposed reforms. If there’s no contract, there’s no $200 million, Rhee said.
Part of the money would go to increased salaries and bonuses for highly effective teachers — based on contentious new evaluation systems. Another part would be spent on professional development and teacher support.
Parker, who disapproves of the proposed contract, says it’s a catch-22.
“If the only way D.C. Public Schools can create a high-value public education system is to get private dollars, we might as well close down,” Parker said.
Robert Croninger, a professor of education policy at the University of Maryland, said moves like Rhee’s often result in “a real meltdown with regard to trust and union-administration relations.”
“It’s big-city education politics,” Croninger said. “It’s whether or not the union will resist, or how they’ll resist. And I’ll bet they’ve got their lawyers looking at what the issues are, and they’ll solicit support from the public.”
Rhee and Fenty said the reforms are within the District’s legal rights. Parker said the proof would be in the implementation.
