Fenty Takes Hands-On Role as Opening Nears

"I do not have the luxury of saying anyone is preventing me from doing my job," Fenty said, when asked about the council's actions. "The citizens of the District of Columbia elected me to do a job. I've got to get it done."

Pressed to address the council's complaints, Fenty said: "I can't reiterate enough that our job is to get things done, including briefing council, keeping the council informed. To the extent that hasn't occurred as much as it should have, it's my fault 100 percent."

In addition to the principal's meeting, the system is launching programs to provide "wraparound" services to troubled youth. There will be additional counselors and training for police officers about school safety.

Fenty, who meets with Rhee twice a week, said that his message to his education aides is: "Let me know what else you need to have the schools even more ready."

The administration was buoyed by recent increases in standardized test scores for math and English for elementary and high school students, but Fenty and Rhee have a long way to go. The scores are still low compared with national standards and surrounding jurisdictions.

As part of their plan, the mayor and chancellor have attempted to position themselves with other big-city educators, especially Joel Klein, the chancellor of the New York City schools. Rhee worked with Klein during her time as director of the New Teacher Project, and it was partly on his recommendation that Fenty hired Rhee.

In the spring, Fenty and Rhee joined Klein and the Rev. Al Sharpton at an education conference in Memphis to talk about the need to close the achievement gap among black and Hispanic students. On Sunday, the foursome will reunite in Denver, on the eve of the Democratic National Convention, for a panel discussion.

The exposure is aimed at helping Fenty and Rhee win attention and garner national support -- including financial donations from major foundations and, perhaps, a wave of new teachers and administrators.

Fenty said he wants to "provide information to the country about what you're doing and how you could use their support." He also said that he has sought the "best practices" from other jurisdictions to bring to Washington.

"The goal is to have schools as ready as humanly possible," said Fenty, who will return with Rhee to be in town for Monday's school system opening, "and for kids to get as excellent an education as they possibly can."