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Waiting For Superman: Flawed, Failing and Fraudulent Educational System

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wal66

wal66

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If you have NetFlix and you are interested in documentaries or more importantly the educational system then I strongly urge you to check out Waiting For Superman. I think it is such a good watch that if you dont have a NetFlix account but want to see it I will give you my login information and you can login as me and watch it.

There are so many variables as to why kids succeed or fail in life. Some face geographical boundaries, others economical limitations, some have their own personal motivation hurdles to overcome and still others simply dont have the foundational support within their own homes. The one obstacle that no kid should have to overcome is the very system that is supposed to enable them to succeed, the educational system.

We had a discussion about unions in another thread and I posted that I was in support of unions and while that stance hasnt changed (even though I am not nor have I ever been in a union) it has been modified. I do remember saying that I was in favor of any union protecting those not pulling their own weight (paraphrased because I dont remember the thread or my exact quote). After watching this documentary I still feel the same but I think that legislation should be able to supersede certain aspects of any union. A local, state or federal minimum standard should be set that no Teachers Union should be allowed to skirt under. Tenure is fine but it doesnt give a free pass to teachers who are simply going through the motions.

If you do watch this video I warn you it gets very emotional on many levels. You will be angered at the systems failures. You will be enraged at the unions control through political contributions and partnerships. Your heart will break as you watch lotteries give advantages to some and possibly finalize the futures of others.

There have always been and will continue to be those special children who will overcome. Who will be stronger than the pressures around them to fail and find the inner strength to succeed but as this documentary sheds light on, it doesnt have to be that difficult. Its also true that regardless of the advantages there will be those that fail but Ill save that one for a different Soap Box.

No child left behind makes for a nice slogan but unfortunately that is all it is.
 
No MonkeyFocker.

Unions still have a purpose but to tenure teachers and allow them to sit in the classroom and read a newspaper (example not the rule) all the while being protected from getting fired is insane and irresponsible. The unions should be there to ensure the teachers have a fair break and equal opportunity but not guarantee them a free ride once they’re in.

The system isn’t working. Sure there are other factors involved and accountability of both the student and parents are those other factors but the system should never be a source.

Now I will give you that this is only one side of the equation but spin or not you can’t deny there isn’t a problem here.
 
Am I to understand that the collective opinion of those who have responded are that it is a child and parenting issue and no blame at all with the educational process?

None of you have any experience with a teacher who was just going through the motions or even less? None of you have ever had or known a teacher who had preconceived ideas about which students would make it and which wouldn't and acted in accordance with those thoughts? What perfect bubbles you guys must have lived in.

I know of 2 teachers I had when I was in high school who gave assignments and handed out test and basically nothing else. They didn't teach, they didn't counsel they took attendance.

Now neither of these teachers (even though I had both) were a reason for my not doing better in school or furthering my education. I have no-one to blame but myself. True I had a single mom who never finished high school who left for work before I left for school and got home at 6 at night so she wasn't much in the way of help on that front but I wasn't a dumbass I was just lazy. I wasn't self-motivated to do better than the minimum.

While I accept my own blame that doesn't mean that someone at the school couldn't have inspired me to do better. Not saying it would but had someone noticed or cared at the place where I spent the majority of my awake time then maybe things could have been different.

I'm getting off track.

There was a portion in the documentary about how the track system was designed and how it hasn't changed since it's inception. It was designed with the expectation that about 20% of the students would go on to college and become doctors, lawyers and engineers. Another 20% would graduate high school but not quite be college material and become bankers, managers, salesmen and the sort. The rest may or may not graduate high school and basically become laborers in life.

It basically establishes who teachers spend the priority time with. It also lays the foundation for acceptable meritocracy which is a terrible level of tolerance.

There will always be some of us who piss opportunity away. There will always be parents out there that assume it is someone elses responsibility. There is no justification for any institution to not do everything possible to not be associated with any of the blame.
 
Focker, you are arguing a point I already admitted too. I said I am to blame for my own short comings. That isn't always the case though. There are kids out there that could be reached if someone takes an interest. There are programs that are failing even if it isn't the norm it's unacceptable all the same.

There is no denying that America ranks lower in math and reading skills than many other countries and it's absurdly pompous to assume the school system isn't at least partially to blame.
 
wal66
Focker, you are arguing a point I already admitted too. I said I am to blame for my own short comings. That isn't always the case though. There are kids out there that could be reached if someone takes an interest. There are programs that are failing even if it isn't the norm it's unacceptable all the same.

There is no denying that America ranks lower in math and reading skills than many other countries and it's absurdly pompous to assume the school system isn't at least partially to blame.
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I don't see your point if you're admitting that nothing would have changed. There is a far greater influence at work. Parenting and culture - both of which are bankrupt in America. Maybe if the kids would show some initiative, the teachers would be more enthusiastic to help. Strange two-way street. Huh?
 
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