It’s no surprise that Michelle Rhee has stepped down as Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools. Advocates of “mayoral control” in education have always argued that such a governance arrangement provides a clear line of accountability, straight through the mayor's office. Upshot: Adrian Fenty loses; his schools chief is out. Simple as that. But that doesn't make the outcome any less unsettling for D.C., and especially for its most vulnerable children. As the Washington City Paper editorialized before the election, “When it comes to reforming a failed school system, you either go monomaniacal or go home. It’s naïve to think that you can do it while simultaneously making nice with the old guard.” Vincent Gray, Washington’s next mayor, will test this argument with his promise to push reform but also seek greater buy-in from stakeholders. There’s little reason to be optimistic about this approach—can anyone name a single city where “reform with a smile” has turned around a failing school system?—but here’s hoping for the best. And, if you’re really committed to looking for a silver lining, it’s this: Michelle is gone, but D.C.’s charter schools remain, and within a few years they will serve a majority of the city’s children.
This piece first appeared in slightly different form on the National Review Online blog, The Corner. It also appeared on Fordham’s own blog, Flypaper.
“Michelle Rhee resigns; Gray huddles with her successor,” by Tim Craig and Bill Turque, Washington Post, October 13, 2010.
“Michelle Rhee will leave plenty of unfinished business in D.C.,” by Bill Turque, Washington Post, October 12, 2010.
“Goodbye Rhee, hello brave new chancellor,” by Jay Matthews, Washington Post, October 12, 2010.
