student achievement at the secondary level rose 14 points in reading and 17 points in math since 2007, gains that are unprecedented in dc history and unparalleled nationwide. student sat scores rose 27 points in 2010. graduation rates rose each year since 2007, and 72 percent of district students took the practice scholastic aptitude test, a.k.a. the psat, which functions as a practice test for students entering college. his administration also took on a major, five-year maintenance and construction effort to dramatically improve school buildings by 2014. the mayor and chancellor successfully negotiated a collective bargaining agreement with the washington teachers union. the contract has become a national model for other jurisdictions, especially because it establishes a system of performance-based teacher compensation.