'Waiting for Superman' documentary can teach kids to value education
On a recent Oprah show the documentary "Waiting for Superman” was the topic of discussion. It has been described as “a gripping story about the state of public school systems in America.” It is told through the eyes of five students who strive for a better education.
The documentary reveals heartbreaking struggles the students must overcome in their quest for a better education. Their hope is to win a lottery that will gain them admittance to a charter school which will provide them with the education they need to succeed. You can read each child's story by visiting Oprah.com.
Movie trailers and clips of this film tell us that “Out of 28 reporting developed countries, America is ranked 20th in graduation rates.” We also rank 25th in math and 21st in science. We have our work cut out.
After viewing the stories and reading the statistics on school drop out rates, I plan to take my children to see "Waiting for Superman.” If nothing else, the movie can stimulate a discussion with our children on the importance of education. They can see for themselves the value families place on education. There are those who travel a great distance in search of a good school and others who have to overcome the elements of a tough neighborhood.
Whether or not you know of someone who is waiting for “Superman” to rescue them from a current situation, the fight for a good education affects us all. The struggling students in the schools across town have an impact on our lives.
If students aren’t completing high school or receiving the education they need, will they be competent enough to take care of us as we age? They are the next generation of doctors, lawyers, politicians and the list goes on.
The hype surrounding this film makes one wonder, what is the state of the schools in our community? Where do we begin to solve the problem? A metaphor I heard once fits well in this situation. It said we need to be a symphony of solutions rather than a quartet of complainers. Rather than just complain about a situation, perhaps we can help resolve the problem in some way.
"Waiting for Superman" opened in select cities September 24. Filmmaker Davis Guggenheim said the movie “gets you to care about other people’s children and even look at your own children differently.”
On the website waiting for superman.com they end with the statement, “Make a difference, pledge to see the film.” This is one investment of time I don’t mind making.
How will this movie make a difference in your life?
"Waiting for Superman" is playing at the Royal Oak Main Art Theatre.
Angela Verges is a writer and mom who promotes education first. She can be reached at awritersdream41@yahoo.com.
Comments
Stephen Dent
Wed, Oct 20, 2010 : 8:28 a.m.
I actually saw the film yesterday after parent-teacher conferences at my public school. I must say that the idea that our entire eduational system is failing is problematic and troubling...because it is simply not true. One of the key components to a successful school system is belief in that system. Respect for that system. This has not been the case in America for the past 20-30 years. In my district alone, taxpayers struck down 17 consecutive referendums for crumbling buildings and added technology. After closing two schools in the district, taxpayers finally relented. New Orleans has been the most successful of all Charters in the country, but this has been mainly out of necessity with schools and neighborhoods being destroyed. In addition, the infusion of MONEY has brought these once public, now charter schools, up to par with the rest of the state. What is lost in the charter numbers, that are glaringly negative as previously stated here and in numerous studies and articles, is that the students going to charter schools ARE MOTIVATED. Their parents are involved. The entire purpose, mantra, reason for being a charter is to give these poorly educated, but outstanding students, a way out. A beacon of hope in an otherwise dismal existence. Despite the fact, that charter students get the best of the best kids, they fail miserably. In the film, Guggeheim paints public schools as failing and being failure factories. He points to states with "horrifying" proficiency rates: NY 30%, AZ 20%, CA 24% and so on... Yet charter schools outperform public schools at a rate of only 17%. That means, that charter schools are far LOWER when it comes to preparing children for the future. THEY are the failure factories. And again, considering that they are dealing with enthusiastic students, eager to learn, methinks they are the ones thinking Superman has arrived, yet when they pull on his cape, they find an empty shell and a mere comic book hero.
Tony Livingston
Wed, Oct 13, 2010 : 6:58 p.m.
Bad schools, bad teachers? We have an achievement gap here among students that go to the same schools, have the same teachers, the same curriculum, etc. Ann Arbor schools are considered very good, but we have many failing students here. This is a multi layered and complicated societal problem that will not be solved in the schools alone.
Schleggy
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 8:57 p.m.
It is obvious that we need to bridge the acheivement gap! That is the obvious problem and I hope you write a blog talking about that!
Scott Beal
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 3:08 p.m.
I saw a preview screening of the movie in July at the Brave New Voices festival. It is a powerful, moving film. The stories of the kids and families trying to improve their educational outlook is gut-wrenching. One clear impression: kids come from a place of wanting to learn. When they end up failing or dropping out, it is because their schools fail them, not because they fail their schools. However, the film is quite single-minded in its devotion to demonizing teachers' unions and praising charter schools. Contrary facts like those already cited in the comments -- for instance, that only 17% of charters perform better than the average public school, and 33% perform worse -- are avoided. In terms of the specific school choices faced by the kids in the movie, it seems clear that their best bet lies with the charter school. But to extrapolate a national trend and call-to-arms on this basis seems simplistic and deceptive.
mike from saline
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 5:37 p.m.
@John of Saline looks like northside [like Elvis] has left the building.
Annie Adams, Ph D
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 10:24 a.m.
Thanks for this article. As a former teacher and parent I feel that parents can step up to the plate and do more for their children no matter what the educational climate of their children. Superman may never arrive.
braggslaw
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 9:41 p.m.
nothing wrong with parents having the right to choose. The more options the better. I will never be put in the position where a labor union intent on providing job security at the expense of my children's education dictates where my children go to school.
Angela Verges
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 5:06 p.m.
There are definitely pros and cons to charter school education vs traditional "public School" education. My children have attended the schools in our district and a charter school. There are things I like and dislike about both. I like the the parent involvement at the charter school and the moral focus procedure that they have as well as the academics. I also have one child who adapted to this more easily than the other. As Mom in Town said, parent involvement is important. I like to be a part of a school where I can walk in and the staff welcome me. They know who I am because I'm involved and not just there when a problem arises. We do have good public schools as well as charter schools, but how do we get our children to the level where we increse our national math/science statistics? As mentioned, placing blame on teachers does not resolve the problem. We need solutions.
Mom in Town
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 4:10 p.m.
I think a big problem with the fact that U.S. kids are ranked 25th for math and science and #1 for confidence has something to do with our society, as well as our educational system. It is not as simple as sending a few kids to a charter or even a private school. The difference between those schools, and a public school for the most part (not always there are some great public schools and poor private schools) is the amount of parent involvement that the child gets. If we had more family focus in our society, we would be ALOT better off, and our kids would be smarter, not just confident. If we as parents would stand up and take responsibility for our kids and our childrens educations, regardless of where we lived or what we had available to us, instead of waiting for the government to fix it for us we'd be in a much better much smarter country.
HaeJee
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 3 p.m.
I believe what northside is trying to say regards to reject and accept is that charter schools have more lenient policies in dismissing students, in addition to cutting enrollment once full. I agree with northside that charter schools are not the answer for education. It does help have charter schools as another option for parents. Are they better than public? No one here can answer this question. Each child is different, which makes their needs different. I think what is important is affordable choices for parents. I think it is insulting and disrespectful to say that the teachers are the fault of our education system. I personally believe that parents, administrators and teachers are equally at fault. They are not working together but in a funnel. Parents need to be more involved in their childs education. This doesnt mean baking cookies, scheduling play dates and gossiping with the other parents. This mean teaching your child to be responsible for their education and empowering them to work with their educators. Administration is so busy playing politics that they are just out of touch. They should be responsible for building the school culture according to the community. Teachers are typically hit or miss. I found the best teachers and worst teachers in public schools. Majority of certified teachers try to get into the public school system first due to salary being higher and you can get tenure. That leaves charter schools gets the left over or unconventional teachers that dont want to be in public schools. Charter schools get paid less and often times are expected to do more work. You can find a good argument for either side. Personally, I think that the education system is outdated. Parents and educators both are stuck in their perception of what the education system should be like (similar from when they were in school). This is why I love Ann Arbor Schools. They recognize that there are different educational philosophies and different style schools (Community High). They offer different methods of education (online, distance, etc.) Personally, from what I heard of this documentary, it is another way of the blame game. Teachers are not at fault. Instead, we should all be taking responsibility.
John of Saline
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 2:14 p.m.
Northside, what MEA local do you belong to?
northside
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 12:32 p.m.
Facts? Show me data showing that charter schools are better. Here's the link to the comprehensive analysis of charter school performance that found only 1 in 6 charters do better. http://credo.stanford.edu/reports/National_Release.pdf I'm not against charter schools and think there's a lot in the educational system that needs to be shaken up and changed. It just sounds like this film provides a simplistic analysis and wrongly generalizes the problems of public schools located in high poverty areas to the entire system.
Top Cat
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 12:09 p.m.
Facts are stubborn things and the fact is our Education Monopoly is not cutting it. Parents will do a lot to make sure their children get the best education. Parents need choices. The Democratic Party's favorite labor union doth protest too much about this film. For that reason alone, it makes you want to go see it.
Stacey
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 11:57 a.m.
Just to clear something up, charter schools ARE public schools and cannot select or reject students. Many do have waiting lists and students are "selected" by means of a lottery, everyone having the same chance. If there is an open spot, charter school accept a student who applies.
northside
Wed, Oct 6, 2010 : 11:31 a.m.
Every student should receive a good education but data shows that charter schools aren't the answer. Only 17% of charter schools outperform public schools and 33% do worse. And charter schools often have a huge advantage of being able to select (and reject) students, while public schools have to accept everyone. It sounds like this film suggests there's a general crisis in public education which simply isn't true. There is a crisis for students who live in areas with high concentrations of poverty. The fact that students who do not live in high poverty areas get a good education and do well indicates that something aside from the school system needs to be changed.