In D.C. schools, Rhee and Fenty learn that tough reforms bring tougher politics

DFER board member Andy Rotherham nails it in this op ed in tomorrow's Washington Post:

Rhee's approach has forced people to confront choices and made those choices clear. In the education world, hard decisions are too often sidestepped with platitudes about consensus and common goals.

During the most recent contract negotiations, for instance, the teachers union sought to preserve tenure and seniority rules that were clearly not in the best interest of students. Rhee forced the issue, and in the end the rules were changed rather than papered over with half-measures. The result was a landmark contract.

The record on urban education reform makes plain that there is a fundamental choice between harmony among the various adult interests and rapid progress on school improvement. While Fenty certainly could have handled the political side of the reforms more deftly, no one should think that the disruption and tension were unavoidable. Rhee would not have accomplished what she has without making the choices so clear and being so, well, polarizing in the process.

D.C. voters may have plenty of reasons for wanting a new mayor. But hoping that someone can dramatically improve the city's schools without causing a lot of acrimony shouldn't be one of them.

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In D.C. schools, Rhee and Fenty learn that tough reforms bring tougher politics

By Andrew J. Rotherham
Sunday, September 5, 2010; B02

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/03/AR2010090302207_pf.html