St. Michelle's Miracles

The World's Greatest Woman is so wonderful she can increase student learning just through her magical aura!

Consider, for example, that roughly 70 percent of the DC-CAS “gains” in math and reading proficiency during Rhee’s three-year tenure occurred in the first year. Assuming for a moment that these increases reflect actual progress among DCPS students, we all know that her primary policy reforms – the IMPACT evaluation system and the newWashington Teachers Union contract – went into effect in 2010, her third year. 

Can somebody please explain to me how Michelle Rhee (or anyone else) could possibly have anything beyond marginal effects on test performance a few months after they arrived? Did her very presence increase scores?

Of course it did! She's a saint! By definition, she works miracles, even defying the laws of time and space!

Matthew DiCarlo obviously is not putting the children first by asking such impolite questions...