We're Ready for 'Back to School'

I don't know about you but I am very fond of the last day of the month and the first day of the month (except for that whole having to pay the mortgage thing).

Because I am a list-maker, I love the sense of completion that accompanies the last day of the month. And because I am an optimist, I love the sense of opportunity that ushers in the first day of the month (...what the month ahead will bring, what I will accomplish...and did my cute sweaters survive storage?)

I really like September. It's the beginning of school! (Yes, I realize you Atlanta folks and many others are already back at it). Well, Tell Me More is also going back to school this upcoming week. Education is always an important topic. We plan to cover it well and often year-round, but September is a logical time to take a look at a few specific issues in education.

To give you a sneak peak, we will have an interview with the brand-spanking-new Chancellor of Washington, D.C.'s public schools, Michelle Rhee. What makes Rhee so interesting to hear from? She's the city's first school chief in-step with new D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty's recent takeover of the school system. He's following the example of others he admires, like NYC's Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

...So many things to talk about with Rhee. And D.C. is just like every other large urban system. Just like so many others, we want to know why so many kids still perform below their grade levels, why there is still an achievement gap between whites, Asians and the other minority children in so many cities...and, what it would take to turn things around.

And what about race? IS race still a hot-button issue in education?

In the coming week, we'll also talk about issues in higher education. For instance, Alvin Hall, our money guy, is going to talk about FRESHMAN FINANCE -- how to keep you college freshmen from getting into financial soup.

Ya hear me?

Finally...if you are anywhere near a radio (or the web) on Labor Day, you've got to tune-in to the show. Suffice it to say, we will be grillin' and chillin'. I'm serious...serious about the fun, that is. If we have to work on Monday (and we do), please know that we're going to have fun. So...check us out.

HAVE A GOOD LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

Michel Martin

1:23 PM ET | 09- 1-2007 | permalink

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1:23 PM ET | 09- 1-2007 | permalink