Last week, I had the pleasure of going to a screening of the new education documentary Waiting for “Superman”. The film is named for a comment from Geoffrey Canada about when he learned that Superman was not real. He was living in the inner-city of the Bronx, and he was always just assuming that someone was on the way to make things right. Canada learned that is not the case, and students all over our country are learning that same lesson each day.
The facts are that schools are desperately failing kids. The movie throws out lots of depressing statistics paint a picture of both the desperate state of many students and the how widespread these issues really are . In my school alone, I have 11th graders that read on a 2nd-3rd grade reading level. That kind of reading level does not just keep you out of college, it robs you off a future.
Supporters of the film: Geoffrey Canada, John Legend, and Bill Gates.
The movie was great. It was well-shot. There were informative graphics, powerful personalities, and even the occasional comic relief. The story follows education reform with the lives of five children interspersed throughout the film. All of these children are trying to get into high-performing charter schools to avoid the school that their zip code places them at. The children picked do seem to have above average desire and above average parental involvement, but I guess that is true with many of the families that are seeking other alternatives like charter schools.
The film addresses the issues and problems from both national statistical figures of lack of proficiency as well as focusing on the children in the movie and the schools that they would go to. This is a powerful combination. As the movie points out, it is much easier to shrug our shoulders at the stats involving millions of kids than it is to do the same to one child. Seeing the situations and hearts of these kids is terribly disturbing, and it totally should be.
The documentary also features Michelle Rhee, the former controversial, reforming Chancellor of DC schools. Michelle (proud to call her a fellow TFAer) took control of the DC schools about 3 and a half years ago. During that time, she battled with citizens, unions, and general bureaucracy to fire bad teachers and close bad schools. A quick google search will show you that she has many supporters and critics, but I think drastic measures are surely needed right now. Due to the loss of her appointing Mayor, Rhee resigned from her office a few weeks ago, and I certainly wish her the best in her fight to give children great educations.
Anthony, one of the films five protagonists.
So what are the critics saying? The movie “vilifies unions” and “promotes charters as the only answer”. Many also speak against aggressive strategies used by Michelle Rhee. This movie is a question, not an answer. Charter schools were born out of necessity, and thanks to them, many kids who would not get a great education have gotten one. Are they the final answer? I don’t think so, but they are a big part. We need be learning from these schools not just resenting their existence. As far as the unions go, I don’t have a lot to say. Unions can do really great things, but bad teachers should be able to be fired easily. Just because you can protest something, does not mean that you should. Just look at France for instance. Any critics of the film need not just criticize components of the movie but also provide feasible, alternative solutions.
So I head back to school today knowing that I am not superman, but knowing that my students need what I can give. See the movie, and then let outrage become action. Of course there is an agenda, and of course this film has a very specific point of view, but don’t let that get in the way of the main message: All students deserve the chance to have a great education.
