Washington DC – stupid city or state

“Michelle Rhee to announce resignation as D.C. schools chancellor on Wednesday

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On Education: Michelle Rhee on reforming D.C. schools

Michelle Rhee talks with Washington Post education columnist Jay Mathews about about D.C.'s school system issues, and what her kids learned from the new documentary "Waiting For Superman."

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By Tim Craig and Bill Turque

Washington Post Staff Writers 
Wednesday, October 13, 2010; 12:01 AM

D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee will announce Wednesday that she is resigning at the end of this month, bringing an abrupt end to a tenure that drew national acclaim but that also became a central issue in an election that sent her patron, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, to defeat.

Rhee survived three contentious years that made her a superstar of the education reform movement and one of the longest-serving school leaders in the city in two decades. Student test scores rose, and the teachers union accepted a contract that gave the chancellor sweeping powers to fire the lowest-performing among them.

But Rhee will leave with considerable unfinished business in her quest to improve teaching, close the worst schools and infuse a culture of excellence in a system that has been one of the nation's least effective at educating students.

She will be replaced until at least the end of the school year by Deputy Chancellor Kaya Henderson, a close associate.

Rhee and presumptive mayor Vincent C. Gray recently reached a "mutual decision" during a phone conversation that it was best for her to step down, said people close to both, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "They both agreed the sooner they could put this to bed, the better for the kids and the community, " an official close to Gray said.”