International Society for Technology in Education - Blog > "Waiting for Superman" an Emotional Call for American Education Reform

"Waiting for Superman" an Emotional Call for American Education Reform

Posted by: Katie Stansberry

Thursday, September 23, 2010

A movie will be released tomorrow that has the potential to start a movement. If you happened to catch The Oprah Winfrey Show on Monday, you have some idea of the potential of this extraordinary documentary. Just as Al Gore’s pet project An Inconvenient Truth stimulated public conversation on the topic of climate change, director Davis Guggenheim’s latest project, Waiting for Superman, has already started people talking about the state of the American public education system.

The documentary follows five school children from across the county who hope to continue their studies at challenging private or charter schools that boast high college matriculation rates but also extremely competitive acceptance rates. The director follows the challenges and heartbreak of these students who see their future resting on a lottery system with sometimes overwhelming odds.

Check out the official movie trailer. Just a warning; you may want to grab a tissue.

In a surprise move, Facebook founder Matt Zuckerman has pledged $100 million to help improve the troubled school system in Newark, New Jersey. The official announcement will be broadcast tomorrow as part of Oprah’s follow up show on Waiting for Superman. Although the cynic in me questions Zuckerman’s timing – a fictionalized and highly critical account of the young billionaire’s life, The Social Network, will be released next Friday – the donation could help turn around education in one of the poorest areas of the country.

It’s doesn’t take deep pockets to make a difference in education though. Of all the extras available on the Waiting for Superman website, my favorite is a short cartoon featuring Guggenheim speaking out in praise of teachers.

The comments already showing up on message boards, blogs and YouTube show a universal desire to assign blame for the shortcomings in the education system. As the conversation around education reform extends through the coming months, let’s keep in mind that teachers are on the front line in the war for quality public schooling. We don’t blame solders for losing battles. Instead, the country throws support behind these people who are making sacrifices because they care so deeply for the cause they stand behind. Far from consternation, we owe a thank you to the teachers out there that work everyday to improve our public schools.

What do you think of Waiting for Superman?

Comments 4

Gary Stager, Ph.D. 04 Oct
I certainly would expect ISTE to be less of a reflective cheerleader such a deeply flawed piece of propaganda that threatens the future of public education.
Gary Stager, Ph.D. 04 Oct
Your readers might wish to check out my article, “Oprah Shouts, ‘You Get a School District’” and the links contained within – http://bit.ly/a69nv2
Katie Stansberry 04 Oct
I’m a big fan of encouraging conversation regarding education reform and I think the attention this documentary is getting can help that happen. I’ve yet to see the movie or Oprah’s Friday show and will reserve judgment regarding the content until I can actually view the piece. This post is in support of raising public awareness of a public education system facing major challenges and the teachers who are working to improve student experiences.
Stephanie Sandifer 04 Oct

You said:

“…let’s keep in mind that teachers are on the front line in the war for quality public schooling. We don’t blame solders for losing battles. Instead, the country throws support behind these people who are making sacrifices because they care so deeply for the cause they stand behind.”

I am glad you made this connection because this was a thought that went through my head earlier today.

It is very common to hear the phrase “Support Our Troops” — and most of us feel the need to say and do this regardless of whether or not we agree with the reasons our troops are fighting a war. We do it because we know that the success of our troops depends greatly on their morale — and their morale is boosted when they know that everyone back home supports the hard and dangerous work they are doing.

We also tend to hear — and for the most part believe — that our troops are fighting for and defending democracy, life, liberty, and all good things that our nation stands for.

I think there are many people who would argue — or at least agree with the idea — that the education of our children is also an act of fighting for/defending democracy, life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, etc.

If this is true and most of us would accept this as true, then it would be equally necessary for all of us to “Support Our Teachers.”

I think what most of us are gravely concerned about is that this film and the current national discourse does not send a message of enthusiastically supporting our teachers. This has a detrimental effect on teacher morale — morale which is already suffering under the weight of NCLB.

We need to “Support Our Teachers” as enthusiastically and as universally as we “Support Our Troops.”

Post a comment!

Name:
Email (optional):
Your URL (optional):

Comment:

Formatting options