Privatization and Michelle Rhee

[cjbgreen]

As Woodward and Bernstein were told by "Deep Throat" follow the money! So how and why is Michelle Rhee being thrust on the American Public as a fearless leader who is breaking the union, when there are so many "red flags" beginning with lying on her resume' (grounds for firing in any business). Why are the many concerns glossed over and defended when in any other business or field they would be serious concerns and grounds for firing. Why upon her arrival as a first time Superintendent did she receive national attention from the Post, Newsweek, Atlantic Monthly, PBS etc. MR provides an excellent example of how corporate interests work actively to shift and form public opinion and actually cover up behavior that in any public official would result in their dismissal. There are many connections, too many to cover in this one post, but I encourage readers to do their own time table and research. Here are some of the corporate associations, KIPP's founder is married to TFA founder. KIPP of course is a for profit school. TFA provides non-certified teachers to (high need schools?). Check their budgets and funders.
Examine the absence of investigative and objective reporting by The Washington Post (who actively is seeking corporate support and is invested in breaking unions and privatization (something we know from the Bush era is successful).
According to WP and Rhee's resume, over a two-year period she moved students scoring on average at the 13th percentile on national standardized tests to 90 percent of students scoring at the 90th percentile or higher.<7><8> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Rhee There is no evidence supporting this claim and there are no standardized tests that do measure student performance grades 1-2. Flag # 1, lies on resume', never vetted or investigated.

According to Newsweek, "Michelle Rhee got a reality check in her first year of teaching, in 1993. The second graders at Harlem Park Elementary in a tough neighborhood in Baltimore were hard enough to keep in their seats, let alone teach anything. One day a bumblebee got into the classroom and the students were more out of control than ever. The daughter of Korean immigrants wasn't about to let a bunch of rowdy 8-year-olds trample her aspirations to get them to learn. When the bee landed on Rhee's desk, she swatted it, popped it in her mouth and gulped it down. For the first time, it seemed, her students were quiet. After that day they paid more attention, even if they were just waiting to see what she'd do next. "The kids were, like, 'Oh, my God, she's crazy! Who is this woman?' " Rhee says. http://www.newsweek.com/id/81617
This is a strange story and who witnessed this "fearless educator". Seriously, any teacher engaging in this behavior would raise dire concerns at the very least because of safety. Secondly who witnessed this incident?
Michelle Rhee hires former American Enterprise employee to evaluate DC program. One of the men tapped to independently evaluate D.C.’s public school reform has publicly praised Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s progress, raising questions about his ability to perform the watchdog role, experts said.
Under Rhee, more students have left the District? Again is this something that would be viewed by any other industry as success?

Frederick Hess, the director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute,
http://www.examiner.com/a-1401762~Critics_question_nomination_for_school_watchdog_post.html
And there is the sordid association with Kevin Johnson and her knowledge of allegations of KJ abusing students and her failure as a Board member to report to authorities the abuse. There are her absences from work (supposedly she can be reached on her blackberry. Follow her speaking schedule, does any superintendent/chancellor spend this amount of time speaking at public events. Why is Michelle Rhee's brand of reform being marketed and defended by the press, why?

[Smarmie Doofus]

1. Safety? What about *mental health*?

>>>>When the bee landed on Rhee's desk, she swatted it, popped it in her mouth and gulped it down. For the first time, it seemed, her students were quiet. After that day they paid more attention, even if they were just waiting to see what she'd do next. "The kids were, like, 'Oh, my God, she's crazy! Who is this woman?' " Rhee says. http://www.newsweek.com/id/81617
This is a strange story and who witnessed this "fearless educator". Seriously, any teacher engaging in this behavior would raise dire concerns at the very least because of safety.>>>>>