Washington, D.C., school chancellor clarifies remark about laid-off teachers

UPDATE From The Washington Post: Washington, D.C., Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee says she should have moved faster to quell controversy over her comments about laid-off teachers, and she says only one of the 266 employees the school system dismissed last fall had been accused of sexual misconduct. In addition, Rhee says, six of the laid-off employees had been suspended for using corporal punishment and two for being absent without leave "on multiple occasions." From The Washington Post: Washington, D.C., Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee is facing mounting pressure to explain her statement to a national business magazine that some of the 266 teachers laid off in last October's budget cuts "had sex with children," hit them or were chronically absent without authorization. While Rhee remained silent, D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray announced an inquiry into her claims, which he said he found "alarming and deeply troubling."

Earlier article on layoffs.