Waiting for superman

                               

The education system in this country leaves much to be desired. The movie Waiting for Superman is a documentary-based glimpse of the Swiss cheese-like system of formal education that has been created and re-created since the 1970s.  The 'no child left behind' mission statement was, as many of these types of public assurances are, just a great political platform topic, and not in and of itself a fool-proof remedy for lack of abilities and understanding that can be found during a conversation with the average American high school graduate.  Watching this film certainly helped to solidify my opinion of the way in which education is perceived by children in our country.  I often wonder if it wouldn't help to make school a privilege given only to those students whose parents are willing to support properly, and only to those who are willing to apply themselves appropriately.  Of course, like any other 'solution' or idea to bring about change, that would also carry with it a new spectrum of problems and the need for new solutions.  Teachers are definitely under appreciated in America and I'm certain that the reason for this has more to do with the fact that it only takes one worm to soil a batch of beautiful apples. Those teachers who are unworthy of their position and see it as a paycheck instead of a huge  responsibility to our collective future are the ones who make it difficult for the teachers who struggle to do amazing things with children.  Its my understanding that the situation happening in Chicago is largely due to the unfortunate system in place that places the judgment of a teachers value on the scores of his/her students.  The rubric used to evaluate the ability of a teacher to successfully reach his/her students needs to be more inclusive and also more publicized.  I don't think-no I KNOW the majority of parents are not aware that teachers are judged based on their child's performance. Those who are aware of it may not fully accept their own participation responsibility.  Its difficult for many reasons on both sides, however those difficulties could be significantly reduced with more effective communication.