Systems and structures vs. individuals and personalization

There is talk around the city about the DC Council's hearing for the confirmation of Michelle Rhee as the Chancellor for the school system. See "Council checks Rhee's resume: Success in class becomes issue," from the Washington Times.

What I think is very interesting about this whole discussion is the failure to focus on systems, rather than on individual teachers.

Likely, the improved outcomes at the Harlem Park School in Baltimore had to do with the institution of more highly functional and effective systems, structures, and curricula. As a first or second year teacher, Ms. Rhee likely had absolutely nothing to do with that.

I don't know enough about education outcomes research to be able to say how much of the results come from:

1. individual student (including family setting, impact, and interaction)
2. systems, structures of the school
3. curriculum
4. teacher(s)
5. peers (and community).

And of course, how this works varies even at the level of the individual student (meaning some respond better to certain of these aspects).