Students Speakout In Support Of DCPS

District of Columbia Public School Chancellor Michelle Rhee fired 229 teachers on October 2, 2009. This after hiring more than 900 new teachers throughout the spring and summer. The Washington Teacher's Union reacted by sponsoring a rally at Freedom Plaza on October 8. A group of students from School Without Walls speak out in support of DC public schools.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• DCPS
• Reduction In Force
• Teacher Layoffs
• School Without Walls
• McKinley Tech
• Michelle Rhee

[DCVisions]

I don't know what's in Michelle Rhee's nature. I do know that one of the teachers fired was from my daughter's school Deal Middle School. The teacher had worked there for 15 years and never got a negative performance review. The reason Rhee said these teachers were fired was a budget shortfall. She said it was an emergency and there was no time for assessments. Check out the videos Candi Peterson Speaks Out and Rally to Save Public Education, also on my channel.

[DCVisions]

One possible solution is separate classes for struggling students. What about this question: one classroom is disruptive probably because the students in that classroom face more challenges--didn't learn the basic academic skills needed to succeeded for instance. In another classroom the students are not disruptive. The first teacher works really hard but test scores remain low. The second doesn't work nearly as hard and students do well. Who is the better teacher?

[DCVisions]

Well, it's just as Camara said, it depends on where you go. These students are fortunate enough to be in a really good DC public school. The issue of firing teachers without assessing their performance is what's really at stake here.

[DCVisions]

Thanks for the comment. I agree with you completely.

[blognewb]

@DCVisions I would question your claim of layoff without performance assessment. It's not in Rhee's character to randomly fire competent teachers.

[MondoBeno]

I've never seen the DC schools, only the NYC Pub Schools.

You have a building with 600 students, 90 of whom are working towards A+ grades. The teacher has a harder time with his class, because of the disruptions.

The Principal isn't necessarily incompetent. If he says "a student punched a teacher, but the BOE won't let me expell him" then whose fault is it now?

[kxtg5432]

I don't like to say it but many DC public schools sux. Their school standard is joke compared to public schools in counties near by.. like Fairfax, Loundon...

[nasaunders]

Excellent perspective. I am proud of the students. This a perfect example of what students can accomplished given resources.