Presented through a combination of interviews with important leaders of the education sector, and a barrage of animated statistics, the film is not a simple “ooh and ahh” documentary, but rather a call to arms for the audience. Geoffrey Canada, creator of a New York City charter school that sees children “from cradle to college,” appears as a sort of mythical Charter School Savior to Harlem. The film applauds charter schools aim, following the (sometimes heart-breaking) stories of several adorable young students in their experiences in a charterschool lottery.
The film presents an excellent question: “how can we make the education system better for our children?” but we would need a five-part film series in order to come up with any answers. Not only does Guggenheim cover the charter school option, but he suggests eliminating the teacher’s unions, closing failing schools, and firing poor teachers. OK, assuming for a moment that all of this is possible, what happens now? This is “Superman’s” biggest issue: it is ultimately a preachy film that simplifies both the causes and solutions for our problems in education.
Throughout the film, Michelle Rhee, recently-resigned former Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools seems to be making widespread change in her district in a way that simplifies the work that she does. Underperforming teachers? She successfully fires them. Failing public schools? She closes 23 schools and fires their principles. But missing from Guggenheim’s voiceovers is the educator’s greatest weapon: love for education. The film is too quick to denounce failing teachers, and seems incapable to admonishing those who support children. Incapable only because Guggenheim’s first film has this already covered, and he refers back to his older work several times throughout.
So, my suggestion? This documentary will definitely be on the Oscar’s short list, and will be appearing on many Netflix queues next semester. I only hope that those future teachers out there are listening.
“Waiting for Superman” receives 3 “Up, Up, and Away’s!” out of 5.
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Michelle Rhee has fired over 1000 teachers and administrators over questionable “test scores”, and replaced them with Teach for America candidates. This program, supported by Federal Grants, can enter the classroom after five weeks of training, at entry level salary… This greatly increased her operating budget, making her look good, but at whose expense? I wonder how she would rate her own performance during her three year teaching stint, she publically admits to taping students mouths shut, and some bleeding upon removing the tape! Will this be part of her new school reform? What does she need the billion dollars for? Sounds like the self proclaimed “Michelle Rhee first campaign”! For more on her corruption charges just google “Michelle Rhee corruption”…
I heard The Lottery was also about charter schools in America but was more about the families. I also heard it was a better movie. Does anyone know about this or have seen it?