Strong New Films Go After the Much Hyped "Waiting For Superman" and Its Simplistic Analysis

[marmar]

AlterNet / By Megan Driscoll

Strong New Films Go After the Much Hyped "Waiting For Superman" and Its Simplistic Educational Analysis
New documentaries take strong steps to undermine the "Blame the Teachers" mentality of Davis Guggenheim's superficial take on education system ills.
November 15, 2010 |


In light of the success of Davis Guggenheim’s documentary, Waiting for Superman, many education experts have come out with vehement criticism against the film’s assertion that teachers, and the unions that protect them, are the primary cause of the public education crisis. Now, Guggenheim’s fellow filmmakers are beginning to do the same.

Vicky Abeles rejects Superman’s allegation in her new film, Race to Nowhere. Instead of placing blame on educators, Abeles suggests that the current failures of the education system are largely due to the excessive pressures students and teachers alike endure on a daily basis, primarily as a result of Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” policy.

Inspired to make Race to Nowhere after observing the detrimental effects that extreme academic burdens were having on her own children, Abeles’ picture portrays a number of students who exhibits signs of emotional distress under the confines of NCLB. Abeles highlights the consequences of a test score-driven system – one that Superman emphasizes as a solution – featuring students who feel overwhelmed by the intense academic expectations imposed upon them and begin to manifest their stress both emotionally and physically. One teacher interviewed in the film remarks, “You have a system that is trying to further roboticize students, mechanize them if you will, to be these academic competitors, these producers. The very nature of it in itself is very dehumanizing,” while a frustrated student exclaims, “Everyone expects us to be superheroes.”

While Abeles’ depiction of the consequences NCLB has on American youth is certainly compelling, it is her portrayal of exhausted teachers that proves to be her strongest case against Superman’s claims. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/media/148863/strong_new_films_go_after_the_much_hyped_%22waiting_for_superman%22_and_its_simplistic_educational_analysis/

[DCKit]

1. I would also suggest the name "Race to the Bottom" n/t