Waiting for Superman
Waiting for "Superman"
Education is one of the most important things in society, and there is a new movie coming out in select theaters this Friday called Waiting for "Superman" documenting the failing system in America, and how you can make a positive impact on the education of children.
We'd like you to go here and view the trailer, and give us a short (two sentence) response on how you would positively affect someone's education. After answering, you'll get the Chalkboard Eraser item!
Posted by 
Keith
kaloray
kids just need to stop being lazy and actually try. i know, because at times i'm one of those lazy kids.
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User not found:
I think when parents tell their kids that they are dumb if they get a wrong answer will just make the kids not want to learn.I also don't like how kids are also doing that to each other
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PlooshieQueen
We are very lucky where we live to have a school district who holds their teachers accountable and while we know we have to meet state standards they believe in going beyond. The teachers are encouraged to go outside the box to teach and to teach to ALL their students. They do not leave kids behind and our success rate is amazing. Everyone is expected to push beyond their expectations. You can't ever expect a child to grow if you never tell them that they can be more. With the burden on teachers now to be, not only teachers, but parent, psychologist, friend and mentor, it is harder and harder to get through to some. With little support from home and no help from the state with more funding, it is hard to make it all work. Somehow our teachers manage. Our superintendent draws no salary so that we could keep our arts/music programs. This year our band goes to London to play for the Queen. One of only 8 bands in the US chosen to go. Our community will gather together and make sure they all go. It is amazing what happens when you support your school and tell the government that you will NOT accept less than 100% from students and home.
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Oovie
I wasn't able to view the trailer, but this is an issue I care about a great deal. I dropped out of high-school. It wasn't that I didn't want to learn; it was a combination of social problems, anxiety, bad teachers in earlier grades, and my parents' being clueless as to how to handle the problem of me. By the time I had instructors who cared enough to try to help me with the subjects I was struggling in, it was too late.
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omg_eLLen
I am so so happy that this was posted! One of my family members works for a school similar to this, so I've been exposed to this kind of thing for a while. She talked about this movie after coming back from the convention for her school program.
Where I live, students are tracked. Starting in elementary school, you can be put in Gifted & Talented and/or HORIZONS. If you are, your teachers tend to be more effective, so these kids get increasingly better, and the other kids remain about the same.
In middle school, you go into either upper-level or on-level classes. This is where the gap between students really begins to appear. The levels of challenging-ness (okay, that sounds really stupid, but I can't think of the right word) differ drastically. On-level kids are barely challenged at all. As you approach high school, if you are in on-level, it can be rather difficult to get into upper-level classes, and even more difficult to get through AP classes. Many on-level kids are very bright- it's just that they've never been EXPECTED to do more, so they have never really exerted themselves. They simply rise to the expectations set for them. Same for upper-level kids, except since the expectations for them are higher, they rise higher.
Some on-level kids do manage to break into upper-level and AP, though. It's just much more difficult to get into the mindset necessary for more challenging coursework.
I've been in the G&T/HORIZONS/upper-level track my whole life, and I have friends in on-level. I'm really glad that I was put on the more challenging track, but I can't help but wonder what would have happened if there never was an on-level to begin with. I'm pretty sure that most would rise to the occasion. I think all students should be expected to take on challenges.
Where I live, students are tracked. Starting in elementary school, you can be put in Gifted & Talented and/or HORIZONS. If you are, your teachers tend to be more effective, so these kids get increasingly better, and the other kids remain about the same.
In middle school, you go into either upper-level or on-level classes. This is where the gap between students really begins to appear. The levels of challenging-ness (okay, that sounds really stupid, but I can't think of the right word) differ drastically. On-level kids are barely challenged at all. As you approach high school, if you are in on-level, it can be rather difficult to get into upper-level classes, and even more difficult to get through AP classes. Many on-level kids are very bright- it's just that they've never been EXPECTED to do more, so they have never really exerted themselves. They simply rise to the expectations set for them. Same for upper-level kids, except since the expectations for them are higher, they rise higher.
Some on-level kids do manage to break into upper-level and AP, though. It's just much more difficult to get into the mindset necessary for more challenging coursework.
I've been in the G&T/HORIZONS/upper-level track my whole life, and I have friends in on-level. I'm really glad that I was put on the more challenging track, but I can't help but wonder what would have happened if there never was an on-level to begin with. I'm pretty sure that most would rise to the occasion. I think all students should be expected to take on challenges.
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Threskiorn
I think the whole reason that I do blame the parents (and not the teachers) is precisely because, as Cid says, "kids... are just unwilling to learn, focus, or even try." Kids are naturally inquisitive and naturally want to learn. It's in our genes. I'd say that the vast majority of the time if you see a kid who doesn't want to learn, then at the root of the problem is a parent who didn't do their job right. I've seen parents punish children for asking questions ("Don't ask why! Just obey me!"), fail to teach their kid basic reasoning skills, and entirely skip the bit where you're supposed to model good learning behaviors. Parents who don't care about academics or intelligence, and parents who don't foster curiosity and independent thinking raise kids who can't learn.
In my less than humble opinion, this isn't mainly a problem with the school institutions (though there are MAJOR problems with school institutions), it's mainly a problem with the anti-intellectual culture in our country, where being smart is seen as a social faux pas, and most parents don't care enough by their kids mental capacity to nurture it.
In my less than humble opinion, this isn't mainly a problem with the school institutions (though there are MAJOR problems with school institutions), it's mainly a problem with the anti-intellectual culture in our country, where being smart is seen as a social faux pas, and most parents don't care enough by their kids mental capacity to nurture it.
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SHOUJO
I like how people are so quick to blame the parents.
The child is going to school to learn. If being the teacher was the parent's job all children would be home schooled. If your kid if going to school it is the teacher's JOB to teach your child. They are getting PAID to teach your child. And has anyone stopped to realize not all parents are qualified to teach?
Seems like I'm the only one who thinks the problem could be with the kid. Yes some places need better teachers, I agree with that, but time and again I've met kids my age who are just unwilling to learn, focus, or even try.
The child is going to school to learn. If being the teacher was the parent's job all children would be home schooled. If your kid if going to school it is the teacher's JOB to teach your child. They are getting PAID to teach your child. And has anyone stopped to realize not all parents are qualified to teach?
Seems like I'm the only one who thinks the problem could be with the kid. Yes some places need better teachers, I agree with that, but time and again I've met kids my age who are just unwilling to learn, focus, or even try.
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lubricious
There's a school near me that you need to win a lottery and then take a test to get into. Personally, I think it would be easier if everyone who wanted to go there took the test, THEN entered the lottery. Why enter the lottery when you don't even want to go there and take a spot from someone who does?
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sejine
As much as the education system DOES suck and severely needs to be fixed, a lot of it has to do with kids attitudes, and there's some degree to which I agree with them.
I understand that you have to learn basic to intermediate math, science, English, etc skills. Those need to be taught to a competent level, they have to help us function in daily life. But at what point does an incredibly complicated algebra equation become needed for a person, who's had math for a subject for over 9 years, who's into more art and is pursuing that path? It really boils down to the fact that kids aren't paying attention because it doesn't apply to them, nor interest them. I can tell you for a fact that there's way more interest in my film class right now than in my algebra class simply due to the fact it isn't shoved down our throats.
Why not have kids build the problem solving skills and reading comprehension in a subject they're actually interested in?
I'll admit that idea's a little more hypothetical, since we can't have a different teacher in a school for every subject on the planet. But seriously, cramming advanced calculus down a student's throat who has no enthusiasm for the subject is NOT the way to go about enriching their learning. Sorry, but it isn't.
Oh, and not being interested doesn't give students excuses to be jackasses/rebel. I hate it when people purposely act out just for the sake of it.
I understand that you have to learn basic to intermediate math, science, English, etc skills. Those need to be taught to a competent level, they have to help us function in daily life. But at what point does an incredibly complicated algebra equation become needed for a person, who's had math for a subject for over 9 years, who's into more art and is pursuing that path? It really boils down to the fact that kids aren't paying attention because it doesn't apply to them, nor interest them. I can tell you for a fact that there's way more interest in my film class right now than in my algebra class simply due to the fact it isn't shoved down our throats.
Why not have kids build the problem solving skills and reading comprehension in a subject they're actually interested in?
I'll admit that idea's a little more hypothetical, since we can't have a different teacher in a school for every subject on the planet. But seriously, cramming advanced calculus down a student's throat who has no enthusiasm for the subject is NOT the way to go about enriching their learning. Sorry, but it isn't.
Oh, and not being interested doesn't give students excuses to be jackasses/rebel. I hate it when people purposely act out just for the sake of it.
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emy
Florida has state tests, and labels their schools like A, A+, B, and C or lower. it is almost based on popularity. the 'FCAT' tests they do there are waaayyy to easy ( I get 100 on the reading like... every time ) the school system is getting really bad. an A+ school I used to go to is now a C school, overcrowded, and spending its money on extra rooms, renovations, and even new benches, and some strange awning thing, not on focusing to actually help these kids in getting better grades... <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_sad.gif" border="0" />
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zooky
I'm from Portugal and i'm in College right now. This reminds me of when i was in middle and then secondary school i never had a good math teacher <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/smiley_xface.gif" border="0" /> One of them was a engineer that made the tests so easy, i didnt even need to study, another one was to busy checking out the "evil forces" from the class room rather than teaching, but the most chocking was when one of them keep telling us: "you dont nee to know these demonstrations and teories...you only need to calculate!". Well when i got to college, i was WAY beind my coleagues in maths, because all the stuff she thought we didnt need to know and didnt teach us, where in fact important. And i spended most of my time studying back everything again.....
But here i have amazing teachers...finally. the real problem is that i have to study the double of what i would need because of this. Math is only an example.
I have a friend from the USA that keeps complaining about his old schools and education system......
But the problem isnt only on the education system, i see the "new generation" of kids that are on my brother school, and let me tell you, they're are idiots. They have no interest in learning and think that "is cool" to disobey the teachers and not study anything. Luckly the teachers seem to be "rebelling" against this and keep trying harder at teaching/educating and alert the parents for theire terrible parenting.....
But here i have amazing teachers...finally. the real problem is that i have to study the double of what i would need because of this. Math is only an example.
I have a friend from the USA that keeps complaining about his old schools and education system......
But the problem isnt only on the education system, i see the "new generation" of kids that are on my brother school, and let me tell you, they're are idiots. They have no interest in learning and think that "is cool" to disobey the teachers and not study anything. Luckly the teachers seem to be "rebelling" against this and keep trying harder at teaching/educating and alert the parents for theire terrible parenting.....
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Diana_Marie
My younger children are homeschooled because of my three older children going to public school and learning nothing. Parents need to step up and be part of the solution. I know that my children will never have to win the lottery because I am committed to them.
Our public schools were recently awarded 360 million dollars for improvements. The majority of the money is going towards the football fields and other crap that has nothing to do with what our kids are learning or being taught.
Our public schools were recently awarded 360 million dollars for improvements. The majority of the money is going towards the football fields and other crap that has nothing to do with what our kids are learning or being taught.
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CyBear_RedPanda
America doesn't pay enough attention to its education then beats down those that have a tough life after getting out of school either by dropping out or some how graduating. Hell it's almost better to send your kids to foreign countries just for an education. As what we count as high school is nothing but late elementary to them.
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X_starlight_neko_X
I'm a high school student and I'm so appalled at our education system I'm really embarrassed to say I went to a public school and I'm taking advanced classes like psp classes and they are still to easy and it aggravates me to no end that these teachers follow the school board's "Education requirements" the only teachers I know who have not followed them were my 8th grade math teacher(I actually learned something) and my 10th grade world history teacher(Actually learned something as well) It just really bothers me but it's kind of the student's fault and the parents as well because kids really don't tell their parent's what they learn in school and all they want to do is party so the parent's can't talk to the teachers or complain to the school board and some parents don't take the time to ask what is going on or go to school meetings and discuss what s going on and every time my mom and I go to open house she tells them " I wish I could send her to Catholic school but I don't have the money" and the teachers agree with her that our education is ridiculous......it just really frustrates me too no end......I hope this changes in future generations but I really doubt it :c
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Kindred
So the video didn't load properly for me, but I got maybe 40 seconds and the general gist of it. I think opening a child's mind to new ideas and possibilities goes a long way, such as introducing them to a new subject or even a new way to approach a topic. As a student, what is really helping me learn is to question everything, and actively seek knowledge instead of taking everything in class for granted and not thinking about it.
As for funding the schools... If you have say 1600 kids and therefore 1600 parents or more in one school, and each donates a dollar or even 50 cents a week, I think it could really add up. People see the words tax rise and protest immediately, but if we think about it it doesn't have to be that much. Maybe I'm uneducated on the subject (because real world education is another thing schools lack) but it doesn't seem like much money to me for one family.
As for funding the schools... If you have say 1600 kids and therefore 1600 parents or more in one school, and each donates a dollar or even 50 cents a week, I think it could really add up. People see the words tax rise and protest immediately, but if we think about it it doesn't have to be that much. Maybe I'm uneducated on the subject (because real world education is another thing schools lack) but it doesn't seem like much money to me for one family.
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LadySlayer
I agree with one thing, the american school system needs a drastic change, to some it's good and to some it gives bad memories. People are between blaming the parents and goverment for such a failing thing but the fact is BOTH are at fault, the only way things will ever change is when both sides come to the realization that there is no "I in team" as lame as this statement seems rings VERY true.
Awesome sharring this Subeta <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_smile.gif" border="0" />
Awesome sharring this Subeta <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_smile.gif" border="0" />
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Lileo
I am from Russia. As far as I know, education in your country is really awful. You need to change something cardinally. For example take a look at the strong education system in former USSR. The situation in modern Russia is not so good, since we have been following your way.
Or you may pay attention to Japan. They have brilliant education system, but it is very difficult for children to study.
Sorry for google translation. I`m not very good in English.
Or you may pay attention to Japan. They have brilliant education system, but it is very difficult for children to study.
Sorry for google translation. I`m not very good in English.
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oki
I skipped 4 years of public school (went to private school. For.. reasons. Basically it was a huge vacation, but that's definitely not to say it was a waste.) and when I came back, we were still doing EXACTLY the same math problems and history lessons I had left behind. Seriously. I didn't even realize what it felt like to LEARN INTERESTING THINGS until I went to college and learned something every day. But college is sooo expensive now, I don't know if I'd even do that, given a second chance. Good thing the Internet is here with all these INFOS.
Too bad self-education doesn't look any good on a resume...
Too bad self-education doesn't look any good on a resume...
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Ninael
Whoops, hit send too soon there. Meant to add that even so, my education was pretty good, and I was in a rather affluent area. Seeing things get so much worse is depressing.
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Ninael
I'm saddened to see this trailer, thank you for sharing this, otherwise I would have remained ignorant. My education was rather shoddy growing up-- my German language teachers were the ones to teach us English grammar because my English language teachers never did.
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GreenRowan
I am a veteran educator in a public school, a large inner city one with 17 languages and even more gangs. However, our students are wonderful, and so are most of my colleagues, who work long hours (well beyond the bells) to help students. Our budget cuts here are staggering, and it's constant pushing of a rock uphill. However, lotteries and private charters aren't the answer, at least not to me. What we need is a chance to really teach, not train students to pass a standardized test on which everything hinges, but to teach them all that they desperately need to know. We now "assess" in one form of test or another, more than we instruct, and are hamstrung at everything we try to do. Yet, while this is going on daily, the media is happy to point out how badly "we" are failing, and how awful we "public" people are. There are black pits and golden lights in any system. We need to work together to plug our holes and spread out the light, and, yes, we can do this.
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Morticia
Although this trailer is about education in America, Education in my country is also going down hill. A girl, 20 years younger then me, told me that she knew of Attila the Hun through discovery Channel ... not through education at school. A friend of mine has quit teaching because if she followed the programm as planned, the children wouldn't learn anything.
My coverment is giving less and less mony to education each year. Education itself is getting more and more expncive. People with very little money will not be able to send their kids to school anymore. We are going back to the old days ... only the rich can go to colledge. And even colledge isn't that what it used to be.
My coverment is giving less and less mony to education each year. Education itself is getting more and more expncive. People with very little money will not be able to send their kids to school anymore. We are going back to the old days ... only the rich can go to colledge. And even colledge isn't that what it used to be.
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ABOZZO
Hey fail <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_smile.gif" border="0" /> (2 comments down haha)
I used to go to the school you wrote about - I transferred out. Honestly, I got a pretty excellent education there. In fact, I've gotten an excellent education from every public school I've attended - and I've attended enough to know. That isn't to say that everyone is getting that education. I was born privileged, went to advanced programs that attracted the best teachers in the system, and learned a lot. Now I'm really looking at my choice of colleges - I could name a dozen off the top of my head that I know for sure would offer me merit money. To improve public schools, I'd like to improve preschool and education within daycare options pre-k - I know that's where my advantages started.
I used to go to the school you wrote about - I transferred out. Honestly, I got a pretty excellent education there. In fact, I've gotten an excellent education from every public school I've attended - and I've attended enough to know. That isn't to say that everyone is getting that education. I was born privileged, went to advanced programs that attracted the best teachers in the system, and learned a lot. Now I'm really looking at my choice of colleges - I could name a dozen off the top of my head that I know for sure would offer me merit money. To improve public schools, I'd like to improve preschool and education within daycare options pre-k - I know that's where my advantages started.
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emotherian
As a former teacher I have seen a lot. The thing that drove me away, was the lack of teaching and more "focus" on getting the scores needed. The second problem is the Teachers Union. You are awarded pay based upon your years of service. To many bad teachers have jobs because of the Union. Those teachers are not removed from the system, they are transferred to another school. Most teachers lack the basic skills to teach when they start. Sadly, a lot of them don't follow up on what is needed to teach, they just follow to Test Score needed to make that states rating. The Dept of Education is pure politics. Let the states run their own schools based upon guidelines of common sense, like teaching. However, the biggest problem is the parents. If they don't go to the Parent Teacher Conference's, how are they to know what their children are suppose to be learning and decide if this with their own family values...
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fail
I live east of Seattle. I've had a nice education thus far. But fights break out in Seattle high schools. In fact, at the high school I'll go to, one guy punched a guy from a Seattle high school because the home team, Redmond, was getting the shit beaten out of them during a game. It made that school look SO bad, one guy made a whole community look like it was racist.
In the MSP, the new WASL(washington state standardized test), the scores all... Well, let's put it this way. People in the regular class, CMP7(standard class), got way higher than people in Algebra I. We simply weren't taught the "procedures" because we didn't have to explain simple problems. Algebra kids had straight problems and didn't HAVE TO explain. The MSP was new last year, so of course it wasn't perfect. But it put people in algebra at a way higher disadvantage because the way the math is set up isn't that great. The only help the algebra kids got was a list of random equations, 90% of which we didn't have to use. oh plus if you don't pass it in 10th grade, I *think* you still don't get to graduate or something. I'm not sure. The redo of the WASL didn't do anything good.
Oh and a recycling/environment-obsessed science teacher convinced our school to buy a touch screen environmentally-informative electronic thing next to the office. Nobody uses it, there's places in our school that need way more improvement, and if that money was allotted to electronics, it was definitely unnecessary because some computers need to be replaced.
/end rant.
but my school isn't that bad, really.
In the MSP, the new WASL(washington state standardized test), the scores all... Well, let's put it this way. People in the regular class, CMP7(standard class), got way higher than people in Algebra I. We simply weren't taught the "procedures" because we didn't have to explain simple problems. Algebra kids had straight problems and didn't HAVE TO explain. The MSP was new last year, so of course it wasn't perfect. But it put people in algebra at a way higher disadvantage because the way the math is set up isn't that great. The only help the algebra kids got was a list of random equations, 90% of which we didn't have to use. oh plus if you don't pass it in 10th grade, I *think* you still don't get to graduate or something. I'm not sure. The redo of the WASL didn't do anything good.
Oh and a recycling/environment-obsessed science teacher convinced our school to buy a touch screen environmentally-informative electronic thing next to the office. Nobody uses it, there's places in our school that need way more improvement, and if that money was allotted to electronics, it was definitely unnecessary because some computers need to be replaced.
/end rant.
but my school isn't that bad, really.
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Yusuke
That trailer is depressing.
These are some of the things that makes me want to go to another country, just to learn.
America has a horrible system, state testing doesn't help.
The school system is just some popularity thing now.
THIS SCHOOL HAS A "C", DON'T GO.
THIS ONE HAS AN "A".
Grading children like that is sick man.
Shouldn't be grading from poorly based testing.
And I'm talking about Florida.
These are some of the things that makes me want to go to another country, just to learn.
America has a horrible system, state testing doesn't help.
The school system is just some popularity thing now.
THIS SCHOOL HAS A "C", DON'T GO.
THIS ONE HAS AN "A".
Grading children like that is sick man.
Shouldn't be grading from poorly based testing.
And I'm talking about Florida.
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Ieva
I've done some tutoring for the ISD school in town, in math mostly. It was a great experience and I thought that I really helped the kid out. I'm planning on doing it again, one on one with a struggling student can really encourage them.
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gemajgall
I spent a year in South Korea teaching English. How much more can one impact someone else's education than by opening the door to the world through language?
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Angelwings_493
The more you learn, the further you go. If you want to go nowhere in life, there's no sense to learn anything more.
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ThatScienceTeacher
As a teacher, I'm interested to see this movie now.
I will point out though, that it does not play in chrome. I had to use an extension to load it as an IE tab (ew).
I will point out though, that it does not play in chrome. I had to use an extension to load it as an IE tab (ew).
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NovaAva
Keith, thank you so much for bringing this to our attention. I consider myself lucky in that I went to a "decent" series of public schools and went on to attend (and graduate from) college, but my school district was far from perfect and my education still had its own set of problems that I had to navigate around or just "learn to deal with." Based on my siblings' complaints, it's only gotten worse over the years.
I strongly support the idea of education reform, and I'm definitely looking forward to this movie.
I strongly support the idea of education reform, and I'm definitely looking forward to this movie.
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DreamsInPink
After reading all these comments, I definitely want to see the trailer and probably the movie. Problem is, I can't watch it. Dial up internet stinks. <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_sad.gif" border="0" /> Hopefully the link stays up and I can watch it at the library or something.
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crashingnightingales
Nice item. But sadly the message presented in this trailer does ring true in most parts of America's public education system.
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justzipmiakiss
I think this film is great to wake America up with the current education problems. But I think the main way to help others with education is to let them know that you are there anytime of the day to help with what ever they need. If a child knows they have support they will be more likely to seek out help when needed.
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what
Ergh, and with California's budget cuts on education, my school is going nowhere. At least there's still 18 AP classes still kept ^^
A documentary by the director of An Inconvenient Truth. 8D
Anyway, I'm glad Subeta promoted this film <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_grin.gif" border="0" /> Because it's better than what Gaia advertises ._.
But I didn't hear anything about the film until now...?
A documentary by the director of An Inconvenient Truth. 8D
Anyway, I'm glad Subeta promoted this film <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_grin.gif" border="0" /> Because it's better than what Gaia advertises ._.
But I didn't hear anything about the film until now...?
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dreamsky
Confidence. That's great, haha. But it'd be better to have smarter kids than reckless ones.
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OtakuOokami
First of all, I would just like to say thank you to Subeta for supporting this film. America's public education system as a whole is in dismal shape and anything that can slap us all in the face and tell us, "Hey, we have a problem here," definitely deserves such publicity.
The schools in my area are so bad that my mother was forced to have to home school me and my sister in order to provide us with a decent education. She fought with the teachers, the principals, the superintendent of schools, to try and get something done about the poor quality of education and the horrible violence in our schools, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. Before she took me and my sister out of the system, she told the superintendent that if something wasn't done about the violence in the schools soon, they would need police officers in the schools. He laughed. Not two years later, they really did need to put police in the schools and a while later they built a school with <i>a jail in it</i> to control violent students. I've had a science teacher that didn't know the basics about dinosaurs, I've had a math teacher who instead of helping me learn multiplication changed the x to a + on my worksheet and went on her merry way, by the time I was in fifth grade I was struggling in math and was too afraid for my life in school to care about doing the work and I didn't learn cursive until my mother started teaching me at home! In short, I've seen the very worst of America's schools first hand.
There are many problems that need to be fixed to give our kids a proper education. Some have to do with home life (manners, respecting one's elders) but more have to do with things like teacher quality and school safety, things that the districts, teacher's unions, and administrators are responsible for keeping together. We can't turn a blind eye to the fact that, on the whole, America's education system is an epic failure. I mean, we have kids having to sit through a lottery to try and get into a school where they'll actually <i>learn</i>! That's serious, people.
The schools in my area are so bad that my mother was forced to have to home school me and my sister in order to provide us with a decent education. She fought with the teachers, the principals, the superintendent of schools, to try and get something done about the poor quality of education and the horrible violence in our schools, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. Before she took me and my sister out of the system, she told the superintendent that if something wasn't done about the violence in the schools soon, they would need police officers in the schools. He laughed. Not two years later, they really did need to put police in the schools and a while later they built a school with <i>a jail in it</i> to control violent students. I've had a science teacher that didn't know the basics about dinosaurs, I've had a math teacher who instead of helping me learn multiplication changed the x to a + on my worksheet and went on her merry way, by the time I was in fifth grade I was struggling in math and was too afraid for my life in school to care about doing the work and I didn't learn cursive until my mother started teaching me at home! In short, I've seen the very worst of America's schools first hand.
There are many problems that need to be fixed to give our kids a proper education. Some have to do with home life (manners, respecting one's elders) but more have to do with things like teacher quality and school safety, things that the districts, teacher's unions, and administrators are responsible for keeping together. We can't turn a blind eye to the fact that, on the whole, America's education system is an epic failure. I mean, we have kids having to sit through a lottery to try and get into a school where they'll actually <i>learn</i>! That's serious, people.
0
APANDA
Being a high school teacher, I see both success and failure in the students and in my co-workers...and in my students' parents. (We honestly have had parents complain about teachers who had "high" expectations, ones that were completely reasonable for the advanced classes that the students were taking) It takes the community's support to raise educational standards and have high expectations. Most of what I see is "wanting the A and not working for it" and as a whole, that is the mentality of the students AND the parents. It is EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY, not just the school's, to educate the youth. As a teacher, I can only do so much if the students and parents don't want high standards. When I discuss the French educational system in class, my students are APPALLED at the idea of having a couple of hours of homework and and having to focus so much time on education and not "having fun"and hanging out with their friends. Most of the time I get comments along the lines of "Man, that sucks for them. Glad I don't have to work that hard."
The schools need to want more for their students, the students need to want more for themselves, and the parents need to back up both of those goals. Our most successful students come from families who are involved and care....our dropouts, the one whose parents have given up.
The schools need to want more for their students, the students need to want more for themselves, and the parents need to back up both of those goals. Our most successful students come from families who are involved and care....our dropouts, the one whose parents have given up.
0
Saturnine
We have the highest confidence, but are...was was it, 29th in math? Why are we confident again?
0
Sansaii
Education should be at the foremost of any society, since it really takes educated people to expand society. My studies right now include working with politics of education in order to improve our future.
0
Swizzle
Thank you Subeta for bringing this to our attention.
I am going to college right now to study and become an elementary school teacher. I want to inspire the students that I teach to make a difference in their community and hopefully by teaching them so, I will be making a difference in their lives as well.
I am going to college right now to study and become an elementary school teacher. I want to inspire the students that I teach to make a difference in their community and hopefully by teaching them so, I will be making a difference in their lives as well.
0
nataki
And as I'm reading this, an advert comes on for an upcoming Joe Scarborough segment on the movie. Heh.
True story:
I have done a lot of really odd jobs. One of those was as a shortage runner for a newspaper in the next town.
This town had a ballot initiative for a property tax that would cover a new school building on a (I think) donated lot. The old school building was at the least an eyesore and possibly dangerous, but I never went in.
The morning after the election, I was stopped in the mall by a couple of older ladies who nearly pulled the papers out of my hands. One of them then sneeringly announced "oh, I'm so sorry." because it had failed.
Property tax payers vs. little kids. That's how this has been debated for years around here. And little kids end up paying. <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_sad.gif" border="0" />
True story:
I have done a lot of really odd jobs. One of those was as a shortage runner for a newspaper in the next town.
This town had a ballot initiative for a property tax that would cover a new school building on a (I think) donated lot. The old school building was at the least an eyesore and possibly dangerous, but I never went in.
The morning after the election, I was stopped in the mall by a couple of older ladies who nearly pulled the papers out of my hands. One of them then sneeringly announced "oh, I'm so sorry." because it had failed.
Property tax payers vs. little kids. That's how this has been debated for years around here. And little kids end up paying. <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_sad.gif" border="0" />
0
Suzaku
Even if you're not in America, you can still make a difference in the education of your own country.
0
DreamAvenue
Argh! A.. a short two sentences? I don't even live in America but I feel like writing a whole freakin' essay!
0
Apache
I just think we all need to help the education system. We need to make a difference but then again, are we willing?
Also, we need to get kids away from the computers and videogames so they will actually want to learn 8x
Also, we need to get kids away from the computers and videogames so they will actually want to learn 8x
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Peach
"I feel like this question is kind of completely irrelevant for someone who doesn't live in USA. :X"
^this.
I just gave a pretty generic answer D=
^this.
I just gave a pretty generic answer D=
0
MuerteJuvenile
I feel like this question is kind of completely irrelevant for someone who doesn't live in USA. :X
0
Laetitia_Montemercy
Beautiful...I love when we can all come together and make a difference. This is such a moving movie, I'm getting all my other Subetapals together to watch it. It's official, they WILL watch this with me. XD
0
Screech_Owl
I'm in college now to become an art teacher, I'm in a Learning Theory class where we're studying how children learn and develop. I think that I would be caring and understanding to my student's lives, and I hope that I would be able to be a positive influence on them and help them live their lives to the fullest.
0
Jessica
my school is one of the best in the nation.
I am also getting a black screen, but I know what to write
I am also getting a black screen, but I know what to write
0
Springdew
I am currently going to college to be a teacher, elementary or secondary, I haven't decided yet. My goal is to give the children the very best education I can possibly give.
0
Experimental
This is wonderful - I would like to sincerely thank Subeta for putting this up and supporting this project. Way to go. <3
0
ROCK
As a teacher, I can only thank subeta whole-heartedly for this. I just hope the film offers solutions instead of just highlighting the problems. It's not like we aren't aware that there are problems, there are just no viable solutions to all of this.
0
Hug
I don't think it's fair to assume all public schools are inadequate at providing an enriched education to children. This may be true in certain areas, but please don't generalize and label every single school with that tag. I went to public schools all my life and I know, now being in college, that I and tons of the people that were in my class are better educated than a good number of students attending universities now. I don't like people who are being taught in public schools to be thought of as 'inferior' by others.
0
SoraNoRyu
And here I thought schools in Germany were going downhill... they are, but to think America is even that much worse is sickening. Having childrens future depend on a gamble is one of the most horrible things you can do; of course, it gives everyone a fair chance, but you can't really work towards it - if success is based on sheer luck, why would anyone start to work for their future and EARN their place?
I shure hope that's one thing we don't imitate. Germany has a really bad habbit of taking over America's worst ideas (the good ones not so much)...
I don't know if that movie will make it to Germany as well, since great parts of it don't apply to our school system (every kid under a certain age HAS to visit a school here, so that's not a problem), but the low fundings and bad teachers are the same here, and bad schooling is an issue, too.
I shure hope that's one thing we don't imitate. Germany has a really bad habbit of taking over America's worst ideas (the good ones not so much)...
I don't know if that movie will make it to Germany as well, since great parts of it don't apply to our school system (every kid under a certain age HAS to visit a school here, so that's not a problem), but the low fundings and bad teachers are the same here, and bad schooling is an issue, too.
0
Jellro
The school system that I have where I live irritates me.
Even though the "No Child Left Behind" program is good and all, I don't like what it's done to the system around here.
Most places, if a student gets an F, or failing grade, for most classes, they take the grade over again.
Not that way here. The student can come to school every day and not do ANYTHING, and still pass and graduate.
The only things that are required to graduate here are credits and passing the FCAT.
But our school board... they pass all these students and make the requirements so easy because they want a good rep.
Is a rep better than education?
Seriously.
And about the credits, the only way you can lose them is to not come to class. Absence is the only thing that affects that, rather than the grade earned.
FCAT is just the state test. You only need to pass the 10th grade one. Then you're home free.
I know it's harsh, but don't pass the student to the next grade until they LEARN THE MATERIAL.
Yes, there are exceptions. But those who have no will to try and would rather drop out.... hold them back.
Knowing they can't be with their friends will make them try. Unless they don't have any. Which I find hard to believe.
tl;dr my school system sucks.
Even though the "No Child Left Behind" program is good and all, I don't like what it's done to the system around here.
Most places, if a student gets an F, or failing grade, for most classes, they take the grade over again.
Not that way here. The student can come to school every day and not do ANYTHING, and still pass and graduate.
The only things that are required to graduate here are credits and passing the FCAT.
But our school board... they pass all these students and make the requirements so easy because they want a good rep.
Is a rep better than education?
Seriously.
And about the credits, the only way you can lose them is to not come to class. Absence is the only thing that affects that, rather than the grade earned.
FCAT is just the state test. You only need to pass the 10th grade one. Then you're home free.
I know it's harsh, but don't pass the student to the next grade until they LEARN THE MATERIAL.
Yes, there are exceptions. But those who have no will to try and would rather drop out.... hold them back.
Knowing they can't be with their friends will make them try. Unless they don't have any. Which I find hard to believe.
tl;dr my school system sucks.
0
Mieke
There are 631 children in our elementary school. Last night was the first PTO meeting, and I was kind of shocked and appalled that there was only 8 people there. EIGHT.
One of the first orders of business was the money from Box Tops for Education, some of the teachers came to present what they would do with $100 if they could have it. One of them wanted privacy screens for her fifth graders, while they could write.
A third grade teacher wanted a grocery store gift card, because last year she and another teacher had spent over $200 out of pocket for food and such supplies for science experiments.
And what I thought was kind of heartbreaking, a kindergarten teacher wanted some throw pillows so her kids could actually curl up with a book.
It's a well known fact that schools need money to run, and you're just not going to get it all from the state. Parents need to step up, donate, help out. And also, it can't JUST be the school.
My two year old can write her name, all the alphabet, and she can also tell you what letter is which, and what sound they make. I couldn't believe when I went in to help with kidwriting yesterday, that there were 5 and 6 year olds that didn't know how to write their own names.
One of the first orders of business was the money from Box Tops for Education, some of the teachers came to present what they would do with $100 if they could have it. One of them wanted privacy screens for her fifth graders, while they could write.
A third grade teacher wanted a grocery store gift card, because last year she and another teacher had spent over $200 out of pocket for food and such supplies for science experiments.
And what I thought was kind of heartbreaking, a kindergarten teacher wanted some throw pillows so her kids could actually curl up with a book.
It's a well known fact that schools need money to run, and you're just not going to get it all from the state. Parents need to step up, donate, help out. And also, it can't JUST be the school.
My two year old can write her name, all the alphabet, and she can also tell you what letter is which, and what sound they make. I couldn't believe when I went in to help with kidwriting yesterday, that there were 5 and 6 year olds that didn't know how to write their own names.
0
Alixx
The public school system is so, so flawed. That's why my parents enrolled me in private school. But it was $25,000 a year tuition, and even my family had to cut corners and take money frombmy college fund to afford it. I consider myself very very lucky. America is supposed to be about equal opportunity, but a lot of the poverty in our nation is because our public schools aren't providing an adequate education to people, ESPECIALLY in poorer areas. Thank you so much for posting this. Awareness is the first step.
0
Kuianu
lol oops i guess i read about it at a different place and figured put it isnt all that bad. There are some faults to the movie but that is normal for a film like this.
i feel kinda stupid now):
i feel kinda stupid now):
0
Alferia
I had the chance to experience the US education system first hand when I went for an exchange year in high school and I was seriously shocked! I am definitely going to see the movie if it comes out over here!
0
Lumineste
Education could be better. My school has a balance of everything, but what it needs desperately is more funding. They've had to cut back on everything, even resorting to a 4 day school week with almost an hour classes. (there are 7 total)
0
FrankieBug
Anyone who isn't using IE- it looks like you will have to use it to see this. *sighs and sadly closes Chrome*
Watched and replied- not a hard issue for me seeing as I've been helping my niece's and nephews with their school work since I was 12 <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_smile.gif" border="0" />
Watched and replied- not a hard issue for me seeing as I've been helping my niece's and nephews with their school work since I was 12 <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_smile.gif" border="0" />
0
talisman
Not all of the US schools are bad, mine for one is a great school, in which our county is ahead on education then the whole state.
But this movie looks really inspirational. I have hope for those students who really want to succeed.
But this movie looks really inspirational. I have hope for those students who really want to succeed.
0
teachersrck
Keith,
I would like to thank you for giving some of our young people the 'head's up' on American education. Education is the most important thing in life- without which there would be no other profession. Unfortunately, GOOD educational opportunity goes primarily to the upper class.
To the nay-sayers who think this is stupid,
If you reside in the USA you are indeed a member of a society who values entertainment and sports more than academia. This will be the downfall of this great country of ours. Until our capitalist society acknowledges the problem it will only worsen... dumb dumb de dumb... dumb de dumb de dumb de dumb...
I would like to thank you for giving some of our young people the 'head's up' on American education. Education is the most important thing in life- without which there would be no other profession. Unfortunately, GOOD educational opportunity goes primarily to the upper class.
To the nay-sayers who think this is stupid,
If you reside in the USA you are indeed a member of a society who values entertainment and sports more than academia. This will be the downfall of this great country of ours. Until our capitalist society acknowledges the problem it will only worsen... dumb dumb de dumb... dumb de dumb de dumb de dumb...
0
Tinkerbabe
I am only getting a black screen too. I have no idea what to do about it. I tried several times to go to 'here' but, alas, a black screen is the result every time. <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_sad.gif" border="0" />
0
CakeMoose
This makes my day even better to know Subeta is supporting something like this <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_smile.gif" border="0" />
0
Kuianu
This looks like a bunch of bullcrap. Our school system does need to be fixed, but not with the solutions this movie provides.
0
Acute
I'm glad to read I wasn't the only one tearing up. XD
I am in college now but my math is awful. I have to take pre-algebra and I'm still doing horrid in that. Math in this area certainly is 25th place, though I feel like it's lower. xP
Very good that Subeta is involved with such things in the real world. ^^
I am in college now but my math is awful. I have to take pre-algebra and I'm still doing horrid in that. Math in this area certainly is 25th place, though I feel like it's lower. xP
Very good that Subeta is involved with such things in the real world. ^^
0
BadWidget
I can't wait to watch this documentary in it's entirety! I'm very happy to see Subeta taking an interest in such an important subject.
0
Nikkichu
I'm getting a black screen as well. I don't really want to download another browser to view the dumb thing. :/ I hope this gets fixed so Chrome users can watch.
0
Hiallina
lol My country is exactly "under" the US of A... and getting worse. They love to cut all the budget for education and do everything to deny scholarships here. <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_sigh.gif" border="0" />
Kids are (generally) getting more "stupid" (so to speak), but not entirely their own fault... nor the school. Sometimes, it's the parents that are just too incompetent.
Kids are (generally) getting more "stupid" (so to speak), but not entirely their own fault... nor the school. Sometimes, it's the parents that are just too incompetent.
0
Solace
I wish I could go see this movie, but they aren't playing it anywhere near me. I got all teary eyed because I think and education is something that should be wanted and earned, not just given. I can't wait for this to be near me at some point, so I can go see it. Its kids like Anthony who want an education that makes me think that the US still has a chance to redeem themselves.
0
Wicker
Guys, the lottery is for a chatter school. If you win the lottery you automatically get a full scholarship for all four years and the school is known for getting 9th graders with a reading level of 4th grade up to where they're supposed to be within a year and in the other three years getting their students ready for college since I think their rate of students going to college is around 96%, but they can't accept everyone because they can't afford it. Thus, the lottery.
Not all American schools are 'stupid,' my school was amazing and did exactly what it should have, but even in my school I could see students who were considered 'lesser' because they didn't try as hard and they were just thrown under the bus and left there. Everyone should be treated equally, and everyone should be given a chance. That's what this film is about and it focuses mainly on DC, I believe, which had the worst schooling in the country, so keep your shorts on.
Not all American schools are 'stupid,' my school was amazing and did exactly what it should have, but even in my school I could see students who were considered 'lesser' because they didn't try as hard and they were just thrown under the bus and left there. Everyone should be treated equally, and everyone should be given a chance. That's what this film is about and it focuses mainly on DC, I believe, which had the worst schooling in the country, so keep your shorts on.
0
draithypie
I am extremely impressed and grateful for this news post.
The American system of education SUCKS ASS right now, and many of the political crap being pulled through to ''fix'' things is only making everything worse (e.g., Race to the Top, No Child Left Behind, etc)... I wish we could go back to the ''it takes a village to raise a child'' mentality and ALL get involved in the education of our country's (those who live in the US, that is) children, but I don't think that will happen.
As for myself, I work with kindergarteners in a before-and-after-school program, so I see the effects everyday of what they do and do not know (or have not even been introduced to) by the end of their first introductory year at school (at least in the 2 districts we service). I also have opportunities within my company to work with older school-aged children, and so I have seen first-hand over the last almost 10 years the decline in the education system and its effects on the actual kids. It frightens me. I was home-schooled until I was almost done high school, and when I look around at the public schools in the area, I am glad I was. I wish I could help in a larger way, but one person can only do so much. I can only help the 30+ kids that come through my program every year, and even then I am limited.
Sorry for the rant and ramble... but seriously, I was so incredibly impressed by this post, and I want to thank you for bringing this to the attentions of the Subeta community!!
The American system of education SUCKS ASS right now, and many of the political crap being pulled through to ''fix'' things is only making everything worse (e.g., Race to the Top, No Child Left Behind, etc)... I wish we could go back to the ''it takes a village to raise a child'' mentality and ALL get involved in the education of our country's (those who live in the US, that is) children, but I don't think that will happen.
As for myself, I work with kindergarteners in a before-and-after-school program, so I see the effects everyday of what they do and do not know (or have not even been introduced to) by the end of their first introductory year at school (at least in the 2 districts we service). I also have opportunities within my company to work with older school-aged children, and so I have seen first-hand over the last almost 10 years the decline in the education system and its effects on the actual kids. It frightens me. I was home-schooled until I was almost done high school, and when I look around at the public schools in the area, I am glad I was. I wish I could help in a larger way, but one person can only do so much. I can only help the 30+ kids that come through my program every year, and even then I am limited.
Sorry for the rant and ramble... but seriously, I was so incredibly impressed by this post, and I want to thank you for bringing this to the attentions of the Subeta community!!
0
Allaconna
I come from a family of teachers and have even considered becoming a teacher myself. There is a program in the state I live in, Mississippi, where if you have a Bachelors Degree, you can take a few classes and receive an Emergency Teacher's License.
It's gotten to the point, where teachers have given up, because for one, they don't have what they need to run a class room. I've seen teachers come out of their own pocket to pay for supplies, because the schools simply can't afford them.
You see these good teachers, making less than they should, retiring too soon, like my aunt, who couldn't deal with the politics anymore, and nothing is being done. This lottery system. . . though I know it gives people hope for a better education, it's absolutely crazy. The government needs to step in and finally take responsibly for the poor education being provided, instead of having dream after dream crushed. It's so heartbreaking.
I'm watching the trailer, looking at little Anthony holding his number and all I can think is, "Please, just call three!"
I'm an American, and I had the fortunate opportunity of getting a middle and a high school eduction in Japan. Although for my last year of high school I did come back to the states, and it was a COMPLETE culture shock when it came to the education. It was like, "Why are we going over things, we should have learned in middle school?"
And because of the way it was, I DIDN'T do my best, and still made top marks, even on stuff I procrastinated on and did last minute. That would have NEVER flew at my last high school. I'm sad to say, I learned NOTHING that year, but I got plenty of awards and plaques. Now tell me, how messed up is that?
It's gotten to the point, where teachers have given up, because for one, they don't have what they need to run a class room. I've seen teachers come out of their own pocket to pay for supplies, because the schools simply can't afford them.
You see these good teachers, making less than they should, retiring too soon, like my aunt, who couldn't deal with the politics anymore, and nothing is being done. This lottery system. . . though I know it gives people hope for a better education, it's absolutely crazy. The government needs to step in and finally take responsibly for the poor education being provided, instead of having dream after dream crushed. It's so heartbreaking.
I'm watching the trailer, looking at little Anthony holding his number and all I can think is, "Please, just call three!"
I'm an American, and I had the fortunate opportunity of getting a middle and a high school eduction in Japan. Although for my last year of high school I did come back to the states, and it was a COMPLETE culture shock when it came to the education. It was like, "Why are we going over things, we should have learned in middle school?"
And because of the way it was, I DIDN'T do my best, and still made top marks, even on stuff I procrastinated on and did last minute. That would have NEVER flew at my last high school. I'm sad to say, I learned NOTHING that year, but I got plenty of awards and plaques. Now tell me, how messed up is that?
0
Skrae
There's no easy fix, but maybe, just maybe, this will become more important to everyone through such widespread exposure. I came from a school where if you got D's in all of your classes, you were going to graduate with flying colors. Out of a class of over 200 starting out high school, only 181 remained four years later, including me. That's a pretty crappy statistic for such a small class, too.
0
Pretzel
Honestly, although I know this is true, it kind of offended me. I go to school in the United States, and I think of myself as pretty smart.. Now tons of people are going to assume that all American public schools are horrible.
0
Limey
I come from one of the few counties in the entire country than can continue to substantially increase its education budget every year--but I wouldn't be caught DEAD voting for a single teacher recommended politician. I have a serious beef with my state's education system and denied raises to state employees from the last four years.
0
Cassiopeia_875
@Rahemhetep The problem isn't going to go away by home schooling your kids. More funding and a high standard for hiring educators goes a long way. Home schooling your kids is just ignoring the problem instead of fixing it imo.
As for the video, I'm still shocked that a first-world country like the United States could put public schooling at such a low priority. This is the first generation who will not be surpassing their parents in terms of income. Things are supposed to get better as technology improves, but it seems like things are going backwards.
As for the video, I'm still shocked that a first-world country like the United States could put public schooling at such a low priority. This is the first generation who will not be surpassing their parents in terms of income. Things are supposed to get better as technology improves, but it seems like things are going backwards.
0
Rayen
Wow, this is like crazy. I can't think of a school near me that does anything like that. However, I do know that out of the 4 High Schools around me I apparently went to the 'best' and didn't think to much of it. I had basically always went to that school, etc. But that would explain why so may families moved into the area and it was hard to find housing.
0
Woodland
The video made me sad. I can only relate to it from my own experiences, but kids failing isn't just the schools fault. When I went to school, I could see the teachers trying so hard to get through to some of the kids, but the kids acted horrible. They had absolutely no morals or manners, they disrespected the school and their teachers and it was ugly to see. (I have seen kids fight with teachers and attack a bus driver.) When I was starting 10th grade I had to pull out and do homeschooling. It is so sad and of course I am not saying all kids are like this. There were a lot of well behaved kids like myslef that wanted to learn, but we had to try and put up with all the distractions. It's just heart breaking and to think it is getting worse.
0
Ziva_694
wow 0_o
didn't know that!<img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_shocked.gif" border="0" />
impressive 0-o
glad I'm not at school in the US xD
didn't know that!<img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_shocked.gif" border="0" />
impressive 0-o
glad I'm not at school in the US xD
0
Blastoise
This looks great <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_grin.gif" border="0" /> Maybe I will see it along with Guardian's of gahoole :3
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Efferd
I've already seen the trailer, but it's still impressive (also it's got Matisyahu music in it!!!! XD). I'm not from America, but my sister went there for half a year and just today, we were discussing about how the quality of the schools is quite bad compared to the one of ours (as a foreigner, she was still second best in American history). So I really hope this can be improved for the sake of all the kids who should get the best education possible.
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Gravitas
Trailer made me cry. In all honesty, that is exactly why my kids are to be home schooled. Public schools are producing worse and worse educations, and these are the kids that will grow up to lead our country. It's sick, it's sad, and it's highly disturbing.
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Allura
About the lottery:
It's actually a lottery to get into a better school. I'm fairly certain this was an intercity district where there's very little funding, and very few spaces in the program. It's a big deal.
Even more horrifying, there are students who go to school in buildings that should be condemned.
I'm an early childhood education major.. it made me sick when I saw videos on this kind of stuff.
Anyway, there are actually really similar documentaries out, already. It's horrible seeing what some children need to battle. Is it any wonder that so many give up?
Conversely, there are some districts that have AMAZING schools. From condemned buildings to brand new computer labs and tennis courts and so forth, there is a lot of variety - it depends on the district's funding, meaning the taxes of the location. A lot of it actually depends on property values.
It's sad, but I really believe that a lot of our issues do come down to simple funding.
There are issues with teaching, and parenting, however. But I won't go into that x_X
It's actually a lottery to get into a better school. I'm fairly certain this was an intercity district where there's very little funding, and very few spaces in the program. It's a big deal.
Even more horrifying, there are students who go to school in buildings that should be condemned.
I'm an early childhood education major.. it made me sick when I saw videos on this kind of stuff.
Anyway, there are actually really similar documentaries out, already. It's horrible seeing what some children need to battle. Is it any wonder that so many give up?
Conversely, there are some districts that have AMAZING schools. From condemned buildings to brand new computer labs and tennis courts and so forth, there is a lot of variety - it depends on the district's funding, meaning the taxes of the location. A lot of it actually depends on property values.
It's sad, but I really believe that a lot of our issues do come down to simple funding.
There are issues with teaching, and parenting, however. But I won't go into that x_X
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DeathsPoison
I find it amazing that Subeta is involving themselves in such a great cause. I wish to thank whoever initiated the support.
However it saddens me that the American public schooling system has decreased so drastically that it falls to a lottery system to enroll students in higher learning. I'm still a high school student myself, its pathetic when even someone of may age is able to realized the faults when the government fails the people.
Again, thank you Subeta.
However it saddens me that the American public schooling system has decreased so drastically that it falls to a lottery system to enroll students in higher learning. I'm still a high school student myself, its pathetic when even someone of may age is able to realized the faults when the government fails the people.
Again, thank you Subeta.
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Rarre
This movie looks amazing. Thank you for sharing it with us <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_smile.gif" border="0" />
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SlayerWolf
I personally think the parents need to ste[ up. Children only go to school; a limited amount of time. If a parent won't make their child do the work or try to teach them extra of course the blame falls on the teachers not on the parents. Or it could be we spend BILLIONS for war efforts or to feed other countries and not even 1/10 on our children
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Chrissacide
What the hell is up with the lottery system? Back where I'm from, everyone in a district goes to the same school. Then again, our district is fairly small. I'd like to think I got a pretty good education throughout my primary years. I'm in college at one of my state's best universities now, so I guess I couldn't have been 'ruined' that badly by my early education.
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Arya_784
While I am in no way insinuating that the education system in my country is perfect (because lord knows it isn't) I was pretty horrified by the lottery system that was shown in the trailer. I'm tempted to show this trailer to my sister, who is a nearly-minted teacher herself.
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L0stS0ul
Gosh, I can't help but to keep thinking about this.. In my country it's against the law not to go to school untill you're 18, and last time I heared, they were discussing to change the age to 21...
So basically there's no possible way you can't get any education, it would be against the law not to be in some form of school. Parents get money from the governement to pay for the school costs etc.
So basically there's no possible way you can't get any education, it would be against the law not to be in some form of school. Parents get money from the governement to pay for the school costs etc.
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L0stS0ul
Omg, a lottery system to pick kids who can go to school? That's rediculous. I'm glad I don't live in America. Can't they just build more schools so everybody can go to school?
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Midnight_916
I really like the trailer for the film, and I think I may take my mother to go see this, since none of my friends would be interested in an educational film.
However, I have no freaking idea what to say to get that eraser item :| I'm still in school myself so...
However, I have no freaking idea what to say to get that eraser item :| I'm still in school myself so...
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Allura
After trying Chrome [primary browser], safari, and firefox, I finally got it to show up in internet explorer. Limited, much?
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Chef
Thank you for sharing this! There should be a bigger budget for education than there currently is. Athletes, who take what they have for granted, get paid more than teachers and that's just sad. Parents need to be actively involved in their child's life rather than letting the internet take over because they can't be bothered. Education is key to everything in a person's life and we all learn from the day we are born.
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Kristurtle
Thanks for supporting such a great cause! I'm really interested in seeing this - I'm in my last year of graduate school to become a school counselor, and it's scary to see where our educational system is headed. I like to think that, even though we aren't teachers, school counselors can still be SUCH an important part of a child's education if utilized properly - the only problem is that they AREN'T used to their full potential in so many states & schools...
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blaGue
SO SICK of this lottery system bullshit. I went to an arguably very good high school, who screened their students by giving placement tests. The year I graduated, they had to switch over to a lottery system because parents of children who didn't manage to get into the school were complaining to the district, the board, the sponsors, blah blah blah. They said that our school was taking "too many of the good students" away from the other public schools, and thus lowering the performance of those schools while boosting our own. Ridiculous that people will try to actually bring down opportunities for some children instead of fixing the opportunities for their own children. There is one very good charter school in our area that is now also completely on the lottery system. My sister has been trying to get in since 1st grade (she's in 4th now) and still hasn't managed to. Each year only 2-3 spots free up, this last year they added a class so there were actually about 20, but she still didn't get in. The waiting list still has like 100 kids on it.
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natsnana
I finally got to watch the trailer. I hope every parent can watch this with their children. People these days are so busy that most don't even realize just how bad that our education system has gotten. Three cheers for the makers of this documentary.
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Doe
I saw the Oprah show on this... yesterday, I think.
It just shocked me a little. I knew the system was bad, but this bad? Wow.
It's so different from when I went to school. Sure, there was always a bad teacher or two in the bunch, but you learned what you needed and there were after school programs (run by parents or local college students) to help if you didn't. Now, those programs hardly exist... outside of the 'good' schools, that is.
It just shocked me a little. I knew the system was bad, but this bad? Wow.
It's so different from when I went to school. Sure, there was always a bad teacher or two in the bunch, but you learned what you needed and there were after school programs (run by parents or local college students) to help if you didn't. Now, those programs hardly exist... outside of the 'good' schools, that is.
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Lisa
Even the trailer depresses me. I'll definitely be seeing this movie though. Something needs to be done about this. I applaud Keith for putting this up.
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maniac_671
A very worthy cause for raising awareness! Can't wait to see this film, and I'm not even American.
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Extract
my daughter actually got into a school with a lottery system. That was some time ago but then there are many who didn't get in too.
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Kel
It's not only in US, here in Brazil we have a chronicle problem with education since I don't know when. It's getting worse every year.<_<"
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Solstice_227
I'm really excited for this movie <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_grin.gif" border="0" />
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Dweezy
The lottery system is interesting. I think it might be similar to what the school district here does. Schools have their 'zones' and if you are within that zone, that's the school your child goes to. However, of course some schools are much better than others so parents sometimes request petitions for their children to go to schools outside of their zone. There are limited spots for these students and how the students are picked is by random selection, like a lottery. It might be the case in city slums where the school system there is horrible and it takes a lot of effort just to get your child to a good school outside of where you live. We're talking about difficulties in transportation, money if for private schools, time, and the knowledge of the schools and their teachers.
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Mech
I always knew America's education system was screwing up, but I never knew it was that low. Can't wait for this to come out.
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Impure
the way i see it, only kids that have a really big dream or rich kids can have a better future?
i had no idea there is lottery involved in getting education O.o this was a shocker for me, sorry to say it. -im from europe-
am i wrong?
i had no idea there is lottery involved in getting education O.o this was a shocker for me, sorry to say it. -im from europe-
am i wrong?
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Mama_Diana
and when i tried to add my response to the question.....it said Please expand your answer and submit it again!
this was my response.
don't know that i can.
educational opportunities should be equal across the states.
this was my response.
don't know that i can.
educational opportunities should be equal across the states.
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Mod
I can't believe there are lotteries. That is just sick. Education shouldn't hinge on something like this. Ever. For anyone.
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The_Griffin_Warrior
I believe the school system is failing because parents are becoming less and less involved in their child's life, its like school creates a division.
Better teachers are needed because the parents aren't (or cant) reinforce what their children are learning, until the parents can become more involved we need teachers who can do more than just teach, but be role models too.
Better teachers are needed because the parents aren't (or cant) reinforce what their children are learning, until the parents can become more involved we need teachers who can do more than just teach, but be role models too.
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IRONMAN_719
This is by far Subeta's best idea of how to get the word out about this movie. Fantastic job staff!
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Sumi-zome
Okay. Out of all the free items/ items in general on Subeta, this one is my favorite. I watch Oprah last night, she had a whole show dedicated to the movie. It made me upset to find out about the Lemon Dance, the passing around of chronically bad teachers. I will go see this movie for sure and fight to help all those kids who need and want a better future and education. THANK YOU SUBETA!
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jersey
I knew it was bad but honestly didn't realize that it is so bad in areas that children's possible futures are decided by lottery. It's obscene.
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Dweezy
It doesn't help that our economy is flopping around; so many budget cuts at my university that I may be cut off from financial aid programs ;_;
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Kiarae
True, so true. And it's not just the school's faults or problems either, it's everyone's, which makes it even more sad.
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Mama_Diana
i couldn't see it on Google Chrome either. i researched it a bit and came up with this trailer.
http://www.current-movie-reviews.com/trailers/2010/09/07/waiting-for-superman-trailer-a-chilling-look-at-us-public-education/
http://www.current-movie-reviews.com/trailers/2010/09/07/waiting-for-superman-trailer-a-chilling-look-at-us-public-education/
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MapleRook
Must see! I'm a homeschooling mom to a kindergartner, so this is a very interesting topic to me. As low on the national list as the US is, my state ranks #49. So we are like the lowest of the low... <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_sad.gif" border="0" /> (Though that's one of the many reasons we chose to homeschool.)
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Dweezy
I love documentaries, I saw this title walking past my university movie theater and had no idea what it was about. After watching this trailer, I'm definitely going to give it a try!
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Chou
Wow, I had no idea that America's educational system was THAT low on the international list. I knew that it has some problems, but our German system is still very far from being perfect as well. Thank you for keeping us informed.
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SEA
To be honest, this looks really interesting and I'm not even American. I agree that it's bad that kids are getting let down.
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POURRITURE
I'm interested in seeing this now C: Should check when it comes out in cinemas in Australia. Nice item too, thanks.
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Hunger
This would be a good movie to see. I think most people know that there's a problem in the education system.
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DADDY
Ooh, this looks really interesting. I answered but now that I did I don't think it was a very good one <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_raspberry.gif" border="0" />
I might see it~
I might see it~
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Monsoon
I can't wait to see the documentary. Viewed trailer and gave my response. Having tutored and mentored students for 25 years, it was a no-brainer for me. <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_wink.gif" border="0" />
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Hug
I love documentaries like this. They aren't watched enough today. *answers and gets eraser* <img src="http://images.subeta.net/smilies/6398_emoticon_grin.gif" border="0" />
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SEA
This doesn't work for me in Google Chrome, but it does in FF - no adblock involved for both. Just getting a black screen in Chrome.
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DannicaRilriia
Thank you so much for being proactive and helping to get the word out about such a vital and important issue to all people. Our (lack of) educational system not only effects America and American, but has a global impact.
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