D.C. school chief gets nod in debate

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

During their presidential debate Wednesday night, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama sparred over school vouchers, which pay tuition to allow students to attend private schools. Both praised D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee.

Mr. Obama cited her support for charter schools.

Mr. McCain interjected that she also supports vouchers, which Mr. Obama opposes.

Mrs. Rhee supports both approaches.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal last year, Mrs. Rhee said, "I would never, as long as I am in this role, do anything to limit another parent's ability to make a choice for their child. ... For way too long in this country, choice in education was something that was reserved for rich people in the suburbs.

"I'm a huge proponent of choice, but I'm also an unbelievably competitive person, and my goal is ... to create schools within the system that I believe are the most compelling choices."