Rhee expects D.C. schools to be ranked "best of the best"

WASHINGTON—The Washington region boasts some of the best schools in the nation.

U.S. News and World Report Magazine released its annual guide earlier this week, and Fairfax County's Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is at the top of the list, for the second year in a row. Other schools in the region made the list.

The news was not so good for D.C. schools. Not a single public school in the city was recognized by the magazine.

The magazine says D.C. schools were not included in the evaluation because the school system did not make sufficient data available, but D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee is confident the district will soon join the list.

Rhee tells WTOP she's been working on the type of changes needed to turn around the beleaguered school district. The schools chancellor has been making national headlines in her recent efforts to make D.C. schools the "best of the best."

Rhee says D.C. must continue to help teachers develop professionally and make sure learning environments are safe for students.

"I think that over the next five years I expect to see our achievement levels improve significantly and that you'll see us on those lists."

Rhee says the school district must reward teachers and performance in the classroom. In addition, recruiting and retaining good teachers to work in the city is a priority.

While Washington ranks highest nationwide in expenditures per pupil, test scores for students in D.C. public schools are among the lowest in the country.

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