Yes, Rhee saw the test cheating memo
Michelle Rhee (Susan Biddle for The Washington Post)The education world is abuzz over the publication by independent journalist John Merrow of a secret memo that says nearly 200 D.C. educators may have cheated on standardized tests in 2008 when Michelle Rhee was schools chancellor. (You can read the memo and more here.)
Just to be clear, because some have wondered, Rhee did see the memo, according to Merrow. He wrote in a post on his blog, Taking Note:
I have a copy of the memo and have confirmed its authenticity with two highly placed and reputable sources. The anonymous source is in DCPS; the other is DC Inspector General Charles Willoughby. A reliable source has confirmed that Rhee and Deputy Chancellor Kaya Henderson discussed the memo in staff gatherings. Sanford came to Washington to present his findings in late January, 2009, after which he wrote his memo.
Rhee, however, did not push for a thorough investigation and instead, repeatedly, publicly minimized the extent of the cheating.
No, the memo doesn’t prove that cheating took place, but it does suggest there was more
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