Rhee Watch - July 8 Part 1

By Jim Stergios
July 8th, 2008

In today’s WaPo, the second editorial is dedicated to even more change in the DC Public Schools. After moving resources out to the schools, closing and rationalizing the distribution of resources among schools, implementing accountability in the central office and out in the field, DC Public School Chancellor Michelle Rhee has moved to attract a new cadre of teachers by changing the terms of engagement — the contract and compensation for teachers.

DISTRICT SCHOOL officials are drafting a bold plan to revolutionize how teachers are paid. So exciting is the proposal that Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee has persuaded outside foundations to pony up millions of dollars to underwrite the plan as a national test case. D.C. teachers could become among the highest-paid in the country, but, predictably, opposition is being fomented by those fearful of any change. They should not squander a unique opportunity for teachers and the students they serve.

Months of negotiations with the Washington Teachers’ Union have resulted in the broad outlines of a plan that would provide for two pay scales. Teachers in both categories would get raises, but only those willing to forgo tenure and the salary steps of seniority would be in line for thousands of dollars in bonuses and special awards. Compensation for teachers in this new tier would be linked to their effectiveness in the classroom, as measured by student achievement. Teachers could almost double their salaries, in some cases earning up to $131,000. Imagine the kind of talent the hard-pressed system could attract. Instead of facing the loss of promising teachers to better-paying jobs in the suburbs, the city would be able to fashion an exciting new workforce in which positive results — and the teachers who bring them about — are rewarded. No teacher with tenure would be forced to give up seniority-based benefits; the new salary structure would be voluntary, save for those new to the system. Indeed, we wonder whether the proposal is overly generous, in that ineffective teachers, no matter their seniority, should not be tolerated, much less rewarded with raises.

The real winners would be the students. Not only would there be a powerful incentive to make a difference in the classroom, there would be new flexibility in how teachers are assigned. No longer would seniority be the sole determinant of which school gets which teacher; there would have to be mutual agreement between teachers and principals.

There was no year-long planning process, no circling the wagons of special interests. Fenty decided it was important and found the right person to do the job. Pretty inspirational stuff to see one of the worst public school districts in the nation undergoing so much reform.