WAMU: Metro Connection

DC's 'Master Teachers'

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

From the day she started her job, DC Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee has made teachers her Number One goal – getting rid of the bad ones, and making all the others great. She says the most important factor affecting student achievement is the quality of teachers. Last year Rhee used an existing evaluation system to fire dozens of what she said were underperforming teachers, but she was forced to rehire 25 of them. Now she’s turning to a new idea: master teachers. She’s hired 30 formerly successful teachers to coach and evaluate DC’s teachers. Input from ‘Master Teachers,’ along with reports by principals, will account for 40 to 80 percent of a teacher’s annual evaluation. Kavitha Cardoza reports that, not surprisingly, the process has been controversial.

On Hallowed Ground

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

Earlier this week, Americans observed Veteran's Day - honoring the men and women who served in the nation's military. The occasion was marked at Arlington National Cemetery with President Obama attending a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The cemetery has been central to the way this country remembers and honors its fallen war dead... but there was a time when it was NOT an honor to be buried at Arlington. Robert M. Poole has written a new book called 'On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery.' It's a book that tells how Arlington BECAME Arlington. Robert M. Poole joins us to talk about his book.

John Brown's Body

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

This autumn marks the 150th anniversary of John Brown's raid on the armory at Harpers Ferry. His plan was to steal weapons and give them to slaves, who would use them to escape, free others, and end slavery. But before they could leave the armory, the conspirators were surrounded, and John Brown was captured. On December 2nd, 1859, he was hanged for murder, conspiracy and treason. Many are familiar with the song that commemorates his death - 'John Brown's Body' - but would be surprised to hear how it came into being. Rachel Quimby reports.

Low-Flow Showers Put To The Test

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

Back in September reporter Lester Graham took on low-flow toilets. Today he heads to the showers. Even if it meant saving a lot of hot water, many people would rather stick with their old showerheads. That's because low-flow showerheads often don't measure up. Lester Graham met up with Greenovation TV's Matt Grocoff to put new showerheads to the test.

The PD Dancers

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

This Sunday - November 15th, at 6pm - the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage plays host to three world premiere dance performances... all produced by the Bowen McCauley Dance company. In one of the premiers, performers with Parkinson's disease will take to the stage in a piece called 'If I Can't Dance.' Lucy Bowen McCauley is the company's artistic director. Stephanie Kaye caught up with her before rehearsals at the Maryland Youth Ballet Studios in Silver Spring.

Best Bets with Colleen Fay

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

Every so often Metro Connection arts editor Colleen Fay joins us to say that we absolutely can't miss a certain event. This is one of those times. Colleen Fay is back with another edition of her best bets. She says pianist Alfred Brendel is giving a lecture. And you better be there.