Video: Rhee Is "Despised By A Lot Of People"

While the debate over the merits of his book and its subject's accomplishments continue online -- see Kahlenberg's followup critique  -- Rhee biographer Richard Whitmire appeared on ABC News to talk about what Rhee did and how it applies to situations in other parts of the country. (Nice glasses -- very Clark Kent.)  Correspondents Karen Travers and John Karl seemed a little disinterested -- I can't believe that this was their idea to do the segment-- and at moments Whitmire seemed a bit uncomfortable endorsing Rhee's firings and turnaround efforts or commenting on the Obama education agenda. My favorite moment? When Whitmire admitted that Rhee is "despised by a lot of people," after Karl brought up the whole Politics & Prose fiasco.  Video here.

Comments

[US History]

The proof is in the pudding: DC schools perform much worse than most big district schools in the country. Chancellor Michelle Rhee could have done a few things better.

[Jeff]

From my vantage point, Whitmere did not seem uncomfortable supporting Rhee and her actions, noting that while others are content to talk about reform, she actually took action. There is no doubt that she ruffled the feathers of those in control of the U.S. educational system, and going up against strong teachers unions who have dominated and directed our public education system decline. Indeed, get rid of teachers who are ineffective, hire aggressive principals who demand results, seniority should not gaurantee you a job, instead, merit and results should dictate who stays and who goes.

I appreciate the fact that Obama is a guru in foreign affairs, the economy, and now education, but I will give him this, NCLB needs to be reworked or dismantled altogether. As an instructor in college, I am seeing the end results of this failed program and the sooner the better in reforming this doomed and ineffective program.

For those who institute change, especially within systems that have functioned within the status quo for decades, reform and the fruits of these changes will not come overnight. Therefore, they become easy targets because of the lack of instant gratification and that our schools systems, in this instance in D.C. did not respond overnight. I think Ms. Rhee has some good ideas, and it is unfortunate that she is such a caustic person, which I believe also had a great deal to do with her downfall.

We are in trouble, there is no quick fixes, everyone has great ideas, but talk is cheap and money buys land, so let's get moving on this issue.

[Jeff]

From my vantage point, Whitmere did not seem uncomfortable supporting Rhee and her actions, noting that while others are content to talk about reform, she actually took action. There is no doubt that she ruffled the feathers of those in control of the U.S. educational system, and going up against strong teachers unions who have dominated and directed our public education system decline. Indeed, get rid of teachers who are ineffective, hire aggressive principals who demand results, seniority should not gaurantee you a job, instead, merit and results should dictate who stays and who goes.

I appreciate the fact that Obama is a guru in foreign affairs, the economy, and now education, but I will give him this, NCLB needs to be reworked or dismantled altogether. As an instructor in college, I am seeing the end results of this failed program and the sooner the better in reforming this doomed and ineffective program.

For those who institute change, especially within systems that have functioned within the status quo for decades, reform and the fruits of these changes will not come overnight. Therefore, they become easy targets because of the lack of instant gratification and that our schools systems, in this instance in D.C. did not respond overnight. I think Ms. Rhee has some good ideas, and it is unfortunate that she is such a caustic person, which I believe also had a great deal to do with her downfall.

We are in trouble, there is no quick fixes, everyone has great ideas, but talk is cheap and money buys land, so let's get moving on this issue.

[Jeff]

From my vantage point, Whitmere did not seem uncomfortable supporting Rhee and her actions, noting that while others are content to talk about reform, she actually took action. There is no doubt that she ruffled the feathers of those in control of the U.S. educational system, and going up against strong teachers unions who have dominated and directed our public education system decline. Indeed, get rid of teachers who are ineffective, hire aggressive principals who demand results, seniority should not gaurantee you a job, instead, merit and results should dictate who stays and who goes.

I appreciate the fact that Obama is a guru in foreign affairs, the economy, and now education, but I will give him this, NCLB needs to be reworked or dismantled altogether. As an instructor in college, I am seeing the end results of this failed program and the sooner the better in reforming this doomed and ineffective program.

For those who institute change, especially within systems that have functioned within the status quo for decades, reform and the fruits of these changes will not come overnight. Therefore, they become easy targets because of the lack of instant gratification and that our schools systems, in this instance in D.C. did not respond overnight. I think Ms. Rhee has some good ideas, and it is unfortunate that she is such a caustic person, which I believe also had a great deal to do with her downfall.

We are in trouble, there is no quick fixes, everyone has great ideas, but talk is cheap and money buys land, so let's get moving on this issue.