访谈录 2010-02-25&2010-02-28 罗德岛学生成绩差，老师（在线收听）

How many times have you heard somebody say, usually in anger, they should just go in there and fire everybody? Well, that's exactly what they did in Rhode Island in a chronically underperforming high school, where everyone just got a lesson in being held accountable. The story from there tonight from NBC's Mark Taibbi.

“Steve De Leo, Frank De Vol…”

It was a roll call unlike any other. The names of more than 80 teachers plus the administrative staff of Central Falls High School learning their fate in this highly charged setting.

“Excuse me, this is a business meeting.”

All of them to be fired when the school year ends this spring because of failed negotiations on new work rules aimed at improving the school with an abysmal academic record. Half of the students unable to read, only 7% confident in math, failure the norm.

“I think what's detrimental is to have a graduation rate that is lower than 50% for year after year after year.”

“This was a decision based on report cards, based on the entire manner in which we run our schools.”

The school board says the firings were the last resort, only chosen because the teachers demanded more pay for changes like additional training and a lengthened school day. Education Secretary Arne Duncan backed the board's decision saying students only have one chance for an education. But at several rallies, the fired teachers got plenty of support from their students.

“It's really hard to see them hurt like this because we're really a family.”

And several teachers were plainly shocked at the board's decision.

“I've tried to be a very dedicated teacher, you know, and I just never thought this would be the way it will end.”

But the vote by the board was just one vote short of unanimous. That the best strategy that the state’s worst performing school is not to try and improve it, but to essentially start again.

Mark Taibbi, NBC news, New York.