Waiting for Superman

Waiting For Superman

An absolutely brilliant documentary! I was emotionally upset from watching this disturbing film about the state of education in the United States. I truly feel that our system is not quite as desperate but we all need to pull up our socks and do a better job for the students of today and the adults of tomorrow.

President after president talked about the need of uplifting the educational system. It was fascinating to see all Presidents from Ronald Regan up touting the need to upgrade the system. So why has it declined instead of progressing? I will never forget George W Bush’s mandate of ‘No student left behind.”

The United States ranks very low these days as compared to other countries. The film tries to analyze the problem. It is all presented in a very interesting manner. At times we are introduced to key figures in the educational system. Several children are interviewed and their parents talk openly about what is happening. Animation is used at times to make a point. It is all shocking and very disturbing.

Anthony Washington, an educator stated that it was the saddest day when he learned that Superman was not real. He claims that nobody has enough power to save us.

Several of the parents tell us of the horrendous conditions in the schools. Apparently Washington D.C. is the worst of all. The schools are run down. The success rate is non existent. The teachers are exhausted and frustrated. The reading scores have actually declined since 1971.

One father drives by his old school and talks about all his former buddies who are currently in jail. It is staggering to learn how much it costs to keep all the prisoners in jail. That money could do so much to better the educational system.

A school superintendent in Washington explained how the various school boards do not work together and as a result there is miscommunication and waste of money, talent and energy. The school boards, the federal and state boards do not work together in harmony.

One of the major problems is tenure of the teachers. The union is very powerful and it is almost impossible to get rid of a bad teacher. What often happens is what is labeled as ‘pass the trash’. Bad teachers get transferred to another school but very often another transferred teacher gets posted to that school. (I have seen the same thing happen right here in our own system) Lack o funding is a major issue.

Bill Gates testified before congress and stated that it is sad that engineers had to be recruited from India and other countries because we could not furnish enough well qualified applicants.

I was broken hearted to watch one mother cry. Her daughter was not allowed to go to her graduation because the mother lacked the funds to pay all the school costs.

We see some of the charter schools in Harlem. They are working hard to overcome the problems. In some cases the length of the school day and year has been extended. The problem is that it is very difficult to get into these schools and a lottery is held. In one school there were 35 places available but there were 700 applicants. We see the look on the faces of the children and their parents when their name is not called for the lottery. It virtually dooms them to a poor education and less chance to advance in the world.

We are told that the system is broken and we need to fix it.

Let’s hope that the appropriate people see this film and begin acting.