In response to some of the enthusiastic things I've had to say about new DC Superintendent Michelle Rhee and the decisive leadership we've seen on the school issue lately from Democratic Mayor Adrian Fenty, one DFER friend writes in to urge caution:
I have the utmost respect for Michelle.
But, I worry that people do not understand the gravity of the task and that we still believe the system can be reformed.
With all due respect to Joel Klein, etc. This system can not be reformed deep enough and fast enough.
Plus, she is walking into a racial mine field.
Fair point, and it gets at a question that makes most people extremely uncomfortable but has to be asked: Have we reached the point where some of our broken school systems have pushed past the point of no return? You can debate the answer, but it is irresponsible to not ask the question, no?