Last Friday was payday for the 3,293 students at 15 D.C. middle schools who are enrolled in the District’s Capital Gains program. The pilot program, co-funded by the District and Harvard University, allows students to earn up to $100 every two weeks for meeting conditions based on good academics, attendance, and behavior. The average amount earned by students in the first pay period was $43, though district officials say they expect payouts to increase as…

Dr. Galeet BenZion, the principal of Shepherd Elementary in NW D.C., was fired last week by D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee for “unforeseen reasons” after only a few months on the job. As the chancellor’s office is restricted from disclosing details about personnel decisions, no specifics regarding the firing have been forthcoming, predictably resulting in an explosion of speculation and frustration on the school’s email list and in the comments section of D.C. Wire. Jamie…