D.C. Set to Impose Teacher-Firing Initiative

Union and district at a stalemate over chief's bold pay proposal.

Unable to overcome a stalemate with the teachers’ union over a controversial pay proposal, District of Columbia schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee is moving to strengthen principals’ ability to dismiss teachers deemed ineffective.

“We cannot waste any more time in our quest to ensure superior educators in every classroom,” Ms. Rhee said while unveiling her plans earlier this month.

Neither the school district nor the Washington Teachers’ Union has formally declared an impasse in the contract negotiations—an event that would trigger third-party arbitration—but both parties...