DCPS released the video footage above today of Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) touring Shaw Middle School at Garnet-Patterson last week with D.C Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee. Durbin and Miller, both of whom are active on education reform issues in Congress, met with students and teachers as they sought insight from the school regarding the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act, which is soon up for re-authorization. They also discussed ideas about expanding educator accountability with Shaw teachers.

Of particular interest: Sen. Durbin states, “I think that D.C. ought to make its own decisions about its own future; I think that’s the best way to do it,” while discussing the recent congressional debates over D.C. public schools; Rep. Miller makes clear to the Shaw teachers that he supports merit pay; and students rap about geometry: “When I look in the mirror I can see my reflection / Everything is flipped in the other direction!”