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Reflections on Michelle Rhee's Hearing |
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Written by Michelle Chisolm
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Tuesday, 03 July 2007 |
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Hello Ward 6! I witnessed Michelle Rhee's confirmation hearing yesterday and I must say I was very impressed. I was impressed because she presented a vision. She called it "Principles that Will Drive my Work". Its subheading was named "Human Capital" which will involve: (1) "getting first-rate quality principals and educators into the system"; (2) "creating a system of professional development with career growth opportunities for staff on all levels", (3) "that accountibility will be the burden of every individual responsible for student achievement (parents, principals and teachers)". She stressed that accountability means service. She stated that DCPS is a service organization and that students and families are the customers. Amen to that! This was key because during my tenure at DCPS, I witnessed lousy service both for internal and external customers. Parents and students were misguided, underserved, and misinformed. Employees experienced lack of compensation, under compensation, withheld step increases or none at all.
Ms. Rhee made clear that human resources and procurement issues would be matters at the fore-front of her problem solving priorities. This is important because her plan will require a zealous spread of staff able to get behind her vision to improve the system. Procurement is also an important factor because it will take money and lots of it to ensure longterm, effective, and beneficial investments -- those that would prevent do-overs too soon, and establish a new method for success. All in all, I was very impressed with Ms. Rhee! She's young, she's smart, she's innovative, and she's a savvy business woman, but she'll need our support. Our school system needs a change-agent powerhouse to come in and renovate our method in which we have conducted school business. We need an extreme makeover! Michelle Chisolm
One person has commented on this article. (1) Untitled
2007-07-05 23:53:44 I support confirmation by the council. As a representative for the family properties of the District of Columbia Housing Authority we have children in DCPS, and our cries have not yet been heard. Hopfully, Ms. Rhee, will form FOCUS groups through the districts wards uniting parents of all walk of life, sharing the same issues, and concerns yet bringing back SOLUTIONS. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 06 July 2007 )
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