Waiting For Superman

I recently watched Waiting for Superman, which is a documentary that addresses the problems in the public education system in America.  It shows how many public schools are failing and how some parents attempt to get their kids into better public schools, charter schools, or private schools in order to get them a better education. Since there is an enrollment cap at the better schools, they end up having lotteries to determine the lucky few who will be able to attend them.

I believe teachers deserve to be rewarded better for the important service they provide, but it should be based on the results they get and not because of tenure. We should reward teachers like we do every other profession and pay the good ones more and pay the bad ones less. This movie highlighted the resistance that education reformers encountered from the teacher's unions when they attempted to remove bad teachers and reward outstanding ones.

On a side note, I'd like to challenge any film maker out there to make a documentary without including black and white footage from 50's movies or old newsreel footage. It 's starting to get old.

After watching this film, I came away feeling bad for kids in inner cities who have such horrible schools, but it also helped me realize that if someone wants a good education, it is really up to the individual and their parents more than it is the school boundaries they live in. That may sound like a cold hearted message for little kids, but it's a matter of one's desire to learn combined with taking the responsibility for one's education.

It looks like I just solved our nation's education problems. You are welcome. I give Waiting for Superman 7.1 stars.