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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Does Rhee's Departure Signal End to Teacher-Centered Ed Reform?

    As Chancellor of Washington, DC's notorious public schools, Michelle Rhee got national attention for closing 23 poor-performing schools and firing 500 teachers. But the poster-child for President Obama's " Race to the Top " has resigned after the mayor who hired her lost his bid for re-nomination.

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    As Chancellor of Washington, DC's notorious public schools, Michelle Rhee got national attention for closing 23 poor-performing schools and firing 500 teachers. But the poster-child for President Obama's "Race to the Top" has resigned after the mayor who hired her lost his bid for re-nomination. What will that mean for "Race to the Top" and school reform based on teacher accountability? Is it a win for teachers' unions and the seniority system? Are other factors just as important as teachers when it comes to improving the quality of public education? Our guests today include Davis Guggenheim, director of the school-reform documentary, Waiting for Superman.

    The full episode

    2 of 2
    School Reform: Politics and the Movies
    1. 0:00A Dispiriting Draw in Nevada Senate Debate
    2. 7:47Does Rhee's Departure Signal End to Teacher-Centered Ed Reform?You’re reading this
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Frances Anderton

      architecture critic and author

    • Sonya Geis with wavy brown hair wearing a black dress with red accents and decorative earrings against a white background.

      Sonya Geis

      Senior Managing Editor

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      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Alex Wagner

      White House Correspondent, Politics Daily

    • KCRW placeholder

      Mary Filardo

      Executive Director, 21st Century School Fund

    • KCRW placeholder

      Kate Walsh

      President, National Council on Teacher Quality

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    The full episode

    2 of 2
    School Reform: Politics and the Movies
    1. 0:00A Dispiriting Draw in Nevada Senate Debate
    2. 7:47Does Rhee's Departure Signal End to Teacher-Centered Ed Reform?You’re reading this
    Back to To the Point