This is an awarding winning documentary about the failing American Public Education system that requires a 'Superman' hero to save. Ok, Superman can fly, is super strong, bulletproof, have laser eyes, x-ray vision and breath that can freeze you. He is only afraid of Kryptonite.... but even if he is here, can he solve all the problems?
I am afraid not.
He can't punch the heck out of the failing teachers who say, "I get paid rather you learn something or not", or the evil unions who protect them. Ok, he can probably block a bullet or two in the horrible gun violence conflicts.
Statistics play a strong role in this movie... Ok there are so many percent WILL dropout, so many percent a few grades behind, etc. After watching this film, my head spins a bit. There are many pieces of heart-breaking statistics like only a handful of percentages have decent math skills at a certain grade, and the dropout rates are so high. There are dropout factories that create thousands of dropouts a year. The movie is not so focused. I wish Mr. Canada speak longer in one session and not broken pieces. (He is a captivating speaker that I don't mind listening to for an hour.) Another thing, is it my DVD player or TV? the whole documentary is so dark, like I am watching a worn out VHS tape from the 80s.
It is saddening to see the lottery system for so many people trying to get into the so few good schools.
I wish the movie interview the teacher unions more, let them talk about what they think about the poor teachers that can't be fired killing the future of the students.
This movie seems to suggest that if you get a college degree or even a high school degree, your future will be bright. But let me tell you this, it is still hard to find work even if you get a 4.0 GPA for your masters. Microsoft and other high tech companies prefer to hire those cheaper labor from overseas.
Is CLOSING poor performing schools altogether a solution? Unless there are toxic things on the ground, I think schools should remain OPEN, just find a way to fire the under-performing people that can't teach.
Here is what I believe in: See, if we can send people to the moon and even give a strong blow to Al Quaeda, America CAN FIX ITS OWN SCHOOL SYSTEM.
Here is one idea: install cameras in EVERY classroom and monitor the classes. Good teachers will WELCOME this to broadcast their fantastic lessons. Seek and fire the horrible teachers who can't teach (and there is the evidence). And that will curb the naive kids throwing paper at the teacher while writing on the board.
Make laws to strip powers off the unions. Come on, there isn't a computer programmers union that gives us tenure (and there probably SHOULD be one to be fair)
DO NOT ABANDON the children! Once upon a time I saw an ad featuring someone like Mother Theresa that says something like this, "Give your unwanted children to me"
If the students don't know certain skills by certain age, do you simply abandon them? Come on, these kids just need someone to teach them.
There is ought to be a way for kids to re-enroll back to school after dropout, and there should be some volunteers organization to provide free tutoring (and I will sign up for that).
Every kid who wants to learn ought to be taught.
OMG, it is a vicious cycle and a downhill spiral: bad economy => bad neighborhood => poor performing students
I give the movie: 2-and-a-half stars.
