If Fenty Gets the Schools, Does He Have a Plan?

Pressed for his plan of action, Fenty repeatedly referred to well-known school deficiencies and his commitment to address those problems with a greater sense of urgency.

As the conversation unfolded, it was apparent -- at least to me -- that while Fenty brings to the mayor's job more enthusiasm, energy and desire to solve problems than this city has seen in many years, Reinoso knows the Fenty plan better than Fenty knows it.

As it happened, the Council of the Great City Schools completed its own analysis (available with the online version of this column) of Fenty's plan this week. The council is no apologist for D.C. schools. It has expertise with large urban school districts and over the past three years has issued two critical reports on the school system's instructional program and financial operations.

The 21-page analysis is a must-read.

In short, the council faults Fenty's plan as failing to:

· Address low and stagnant student achievement.

· Set measurable goals or benchmarks for academic achievement.

· Set accountability measures for the mayor and his leadership team.