This post was written by Diana Kugel, Hatchet contributing opinions editor.

Politicians and public officials can be frustrating people. Getting a straight answer out of someone interested in maintaining his or her public image can be close to impossible. That is why Michelle Rhee, the new chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools system, is such a refreshing change.

When Rhee, who was recently featured on the cover of Time Magazine, took over the position in June 2007, she came into one of the worst urban school districts in the country. Unsurprisingly, she vowed to bring change – but the most extraordinary thing is that she actually followed through.

As the Time article states, in her first year and a half on the job, we have seen more reform from Rhee in D.C.’s public schools than many other chancellors have made in five years. In this short time span, she has shut down 21 schools, trimmed unnecessary bureaucracy, let 270 unqualified teachers go and has even dismissed over 30 ineffective principals. On top of all this, her own two daughters are enrolled in a D.C. public school, which used to be run by one of the recently fired principals.

Some of Rhee’s methods and ideas are controversial and have proven less than popular with the teachers’ union. Her radical proposal to let teachers opt for merit pay, which would let teachers earn more as their students show progress, has caused an uproar because it also asks teachers to give up their tenure.

Most of the students at GW were fortunate enough to attend either private schools or really qualified public schools that allowed us to take all those Advanced Placement classes and score well on the SATs. At Anacostia High School, only 21% of students are capable of reading at grade level.

While it is still too early to tell whether her changes will bring about the hoped for improvement and, as promised, make D.C. schools the best urban school district in the nation, at least Rhee is doing more than just talking about change.