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Students First Founder Michelle Rhee on education reform and supporting parents in getting more involved in their children’s education.
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And our nation's schools Michelle -- is now the founder and CEO students first a grassroots movement.
To reform America's public education system.
-- figure five for better schools to New York which is about to enter the biggest education election in the country.
If you look at the situation is very clear that New Yorkers really care about education reform.
They are frustrated by -- what they see happening.
But they really do back.
A lot of the policies.
That students first is for so.
-- for example they're -- about merit pay for highly effective teachers they're about getting rid of last in first out policy is.
That sort of thing but it's important for our politicians to hear the voice.
Of those people and not just to be catering to special interest all the time and so with the upcoming mayoral election here.
With Bloomberg leaving in somebody new coming in office it's incredibly important for whoever.
Is elected into that post to really know.
How much New Yorkers care about these education issues and how -- wouldn't be watching the new mayor and the stance they take you said also that some of these teachers union presidents are demanding that money managers who were running teachers' pension funds.
Not give money to your organization we know that with the teachers' unions there are things that we differ on and we think that's fine but we think that the way to resolving things has to be engaged.
Any productive conversation.
About them as opposed to using strong arm tactics with.
You know these various people -- let -- talk about a strong arm tactic -- that apparently happened in Connecticut a woman named -- Samuel.
Who is president of -- parents organization out there.
Fired from her teaching job as we understand it because she developed a pro reform rally which you were against dad.
And the day after that she was let go what's happening there -- the face of it it does look a little concerning she is somebody who.
Was working.
You know with the school district on a specific grant.
On that and the day after she held this rally which you know a lot of people.
We're not in favor of because she does run an organization called -- -- Connecticut parents union and so some people didn't look highly upon her activities to try to get more parents involved in the education reforms that are happening there.
That the next day she should -- to get fired so it does look a little suspicious and I think it absolutely has to be looked into and if in fact that was retribution for.
Her -- her activities around.
Organizing parents and I think that that's really problematic.
-- state board of education she's also going nationally to Washington to complain about this is there anything your going to do on her behalf.
To make her case.
Well we're gonna continue to to work with parents like -- and to make sure that they know that they're not alone.
You know the with the worst thing is when something like this happens to a parent and then they feel like there's no reprieve they don't feel like they have any support.
That and what we wanna communicated to parents -- -- is if you are willing to take a stand on these issues and sort of get out in front.
That there are are going to be lots of people and resources behind him.
The reason she was given for her dismissal was a conflict of interest.
Between her job and her work as say as a parents have a kid.
Is that the reason to dismiss -- -- is that in fact the conflict in your view I don't see a conflict at all with her on on when she's not on -- -- for her job.
Organizing parents around education reform issues I don't see how that's a conflict at all in fact it is something that you hear over and over again.
Whether it's lawmakers or school board who are always saying we want parents -- -- part of the reason why our schools are doing walls because of the parents.
And then you have a woman who's actually trying to get parents involved.
And and then this sort of thing happens.
So I feel like in many ways were sending a mixed message to parents -- -- of the reasons teachers unions don't IQ so much is because you're section advocate of charter schools.
And vouchers and we've seen a lot of governors all over the country having a lot of success lately with legislatures.
Getting more money getting tax credit credits.
Bobby gentle.
Scott and Florida in the -- now Virginia as well all across the country there's a movement towards.
-- providing vouchers to kids.
What do you think needs to happen next you're obviously raising money all over the country now what is your goal.
So you know I think the most important thing is that when.
Every day normal citizens here.
What this kind of situation so many families in this country are in which is that they are literally trapped in failing schools with no good options.
And they are parents who want the best for their kids and they're saying we want -- house.
You know the option to send our children to high performing schools as well.
And here's an opportunity through a tax credit or -- voucher program.
To ensure that these low income kids who would otherwise be trapped NA NA low performing school.
Can now have the opportunity to succeed.
Most people around the country gonna say you know what why wouldn't we provide that for kids that's what we would want for our own children so how can we deny attack anyone else.
And when I hear people say.
Well it's not good for the system -- or you know the the the school district needs more time to improve.
It's very very rare if ever that you hear the people who are complaining about programs like vouchers are charters.
Their kids are not going to the failing schools so they're asking other people.
To subject their children to a reality that they would never accept for their own children and yet.
If you give more money to charter schools -- -- these tax credits you're really stealing money that would go to public schools.
Are you saying with these charter schools that.
For giving out we've got to start a new we've got to start fresh.
I don't think so at all what we're saying is that we want to invest in what works.
And we want to invest in making sure that kids are getting a great education we should be more focused on.
Excellent schools as opposed to whether it's it's a private school vs the charter school vs a traditional public school.
And -- that once we can kind of break out of the mold.
Of sort of saying you know -- traditional public schools the only way to support.
You know great public education that one that's actually not the case there are many public charter schools out there who are doing tremendous work and who are really -- all of the odds.
When it comes to producing results for kids why wouldn't we want those those programs to continue to exist why -- we want those programs.
To expand and grow so that more parents can take advantage of them -- salary thanks for coming on the show at appreciate your time.
