D.C. Councilman Phil Mendelson says he’s worried that schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee is trying to get rid of veteran educators and is asking Rhee to detail her plan to weed out “underperforming” teachers.
“While we share the goal of ensuring that all DCPS students get the highest level of classroom instruction,” Mendelson wrote in a Jan. 8 letter, “I am troubled by reports that the 90-day plan may be disproportionately administered to senior teachers.”
Rhee hasn’t explained her proposal yet, but says she wants to put failing teachers in a 90-day mentoring program. Those who don’t improve would be fired or reassigned.
The teachers union has blasted the plan, saying that Rhee is trying to bust the union under the guise of helping failing teachers.
Rhee has said she is trying to introduce much-needed accountability into the $1 billion school system.
Rhee did not respond to a request for comment. Her spokeswoman said Friday that she has not received Mendelson’s letter yet.
Mendelson, D-at large, was one of only two council members to vote against Mayor Adrian Fenty’s takeover of the school system.
In his Jan. 8 letter, Mendelson said he wanted Rhee to explain what she meant by “underperforming.”
“It’s important that there is not only a clear set of criteria that is used when labeling a teacher ‘underperforming,’ ” Mendelson’s letter states. “But also a fair way to measure the performance of the supervisors responsible for helping these teachers to proficiency.”
Mendelson has given Rhee until Wednesday to explain:
How many teachers are on the “underperforming” list;
How they got there;
The years of service for each teacher on the list;
The years of service for the “mentors.”
