Ep 2. The Education of Michelle Rhee

The Education of Michelle Rhee is an episode of the documentary series Frontline that explores the career and controversial policies of the former Chancellor of Washington, D.C. schools, Michelle Rhee. The episode takes a deep dive into Rhee's ambitious and often divisive efforts to reform the public education system in the district, including closing underperforming schools, firing ineffective teachers, and implementing a controversial system of testing and teacher evaluations.

Through interviews with Rhee herself, as well as former colleagues, teachers, and students, the documentary examines the successes and failures of her tenure in D.C. and the impact that her reforms had on students and teachers in the district. The episode also delves into the larger national debate over education reform and the role of standardized testing and merit-based evaluations in improving student performance.

One of the key themes of the episode is the personal journey of Michelle Rhee, who grew up in poverty in Toledo, Ohio, and developed a passion for education while serving as a Teach for America corps member in Baltimore. Rhee's experiences as a teacher and her frustration with what she saw as a broken education system inspired her to pursue a career in education reform, leading her ultimately to become the Chancellor of D.C. schools in 2007.

The documentary also explores the controversies that surrounded Rhee's tenure in D.C., including accusations of cheating on standardized tests, questionable teacher evaluations, and a lack of transparency in her decision-making. The episode offers a nuanced and balanced perspective on Rhee's reforms, highlighting both their successes (such as an increase in test scores and high school graduation rates) and their shortcomings (including a growing achievement gap and widespread anger and distrust among teachers and parents).

Ultimately, The Education of Michelle Rhee offers a compelling and thought-provoking look at one woman's journey to improve the education system and the challenges and controversies that come with such a monumental task. The episode serves as a jumping-off point for a larger conversation about the state of education reform in the United States and the impact it has on students, teachers, and communities.