Whether you are a current educator or a future teacher, you can’t escape the onslaught of criticism facing public schools today. In decades past, the public outcry was about lagging test scores. With a global marketplace upon us, there were dire predictions that students would not be able to compete with their counterparts in Japan and other nations.
In response, policymakers created a system of standardized testing designed to ensure that no child was ‘left behind.’ Now, a backlash against a rigid system dominated by test scores and rote memorization is spurring a collection of documentaries that seek to find answers about why some schools seem to keep failing kids.
Four Documentaries: One Message
The year 2010 has seen four documentaries hit the theaters. Each focuses on how traditional public schools have apparently failed families, and, in the case of some, the great lengths parents will go to ensure their child gets into a better school.
The films include:
Teached: Directed by a former Teach for America corps member, the film offers an overview of America’s educational system as a whole.
The Cartel: This documentary focuses exclusively on New Jersey schools.
The Lottery: In this film, viewers follow four families as they try to have their children enrolled in a Harlem charter school.
Waiting for Superman: By far the most prominent entry to the category of educational documentaries, this film is directed by David Guggenheim whose claim to fame is winning an Oscar for An Inconvenient Truth.
With the biggest budget of the four, Waiting for Superman follows families across the nation as it tackles the ugly truth about some school districts. Tenure, standardized testing and entrenched politics are all vilified as the reason American students can’t get ahead.
What Waiting for Superman Means for Educators
Those working within the education field have expressed varying views on the films. While some argue that the films unfairly target teachers as the problem, others welcome a discussion on the effects of standardized testing in the classroom.
For those looking to work in the education field, the impact of the film on job prospects could depend on whether the public takes the message to heart. When An Inconvenient Truth premiered, it spurred public policy and grassroots action. If Waiting for Superman has the same effect, it could have policymakers reconsidering the way teachers work in the classroom.
Regardless of whether tenure stays or goes, the reality is that education is evolving. Future educators must be prepared to go beyond teaching out of a textbook. Creativity and flexibility are already embraced and encouraged in many magnet schools and charter schools. If public momentum continues behind the message imparted in Waiting for Superman, it may only be a short while before rote teaching becomes a thing of the past.
If you are ready to start a new career, consider the job that can change the lives of others. Working in education is challenging but the rewards are great. Click on EducationJobSite to find out more about opportunities in your area.
Maryalene LaPonsie is an accomplished writer who has extensive experience reporting on education, career advancement and workforce development topics. She specializes in sales and marketing consultation as well as general copywriting services.
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