Former D.C. schools chief to headquarter new education advocacy lobby in Sacramento
Not surprisingly, given where her husband lives, Michelle Rhee has chosen Sacramento as the headquarters for StudentsFirst: Sacramento has become home base for an education reform movement that aims to counter the influence of teachers unions on American school policy.
Former Washington, D.C., schools chancellor Michelle Rhee will headquarter her new education advocacy organization in Sacramento, Mayor Kevin Johnson announced Thursday during his State of the City address.
Rhee's goal is for her organization, StudentsFirst, to raise $1 billion and to use the money – much as teachers unions do – to support candidates and influence education policy in state legislatures and school districts across the country.
"What teachers unions do, that's fine, but there needs to be a counter-voice and I think that counter-voice is this organization," said Johnson.
The move means Johnson and Rhee, who are engaged to be married, will be a twin force on education in Sacramento. Before becoming mayor, Johnson founded a nonprofit, St. HOPE, that runs two charter schools in the city. He has made improving public schools a priority for his mayoral tenure.
----------------
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/01/21/3340369/former-dc-schools-chief-to-headquarter.html
<< Home