D.C.’s schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, who is beginning her fourth year on the job, pointed to enrollment numbers, progress in special education and a new teacher’s contract as evidence her reform efforts are working.
The new union contract¨passed unanimously by the City Council means students will have more effective teachers in the classroom and teachers will be rewarded monetarily for increasing student achievement, Rhee said.
"It also tackles three of the perennial problems that have plagued school district agreements over time -- lock step pay, seniority and tenure," Rhee said.
She also said there have been gains in special education where children now do not have to wait for months for hearing officers to hear their cases.
And after decades of decline, enrollment has stabilized, Rhee said. With new academic offerings in the system, two dozen schools have wait lists for the first time.
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