Just Rented and Watched "Waiting for Superman" This Evening...

[LAGC]

Wow, what a load of propaganda!

They sure paint teacher unions in a bad light, making it look like they are against any sort of reform.

What gets me is, they profile all these exclusive charter schools that have low student-to-teacher ratios (in the case of that Kipp LA Prep school, only 10 students!) and then parade them around as if all non-unionized schools could outperform their unionized public school counterparts.

And they profiled that witch who shitcanned a bunch of principals and teachers and wanted to introduce merit pay, but only if teachers gave up their tenure. And the union is the bad guy for not even letting it come up for a vote. Gimme a break.

I imagine in any poor performing public school, if you just hired more teachers and had a low student-to-teacher ratio, you'd see improvement. And by their own admission, only 6% of teachers were considered "bad apples" or "lemons."

Maybe we should stop demonizing teachers and do the unthinkable and actually raise property taxes a little bit so we can afford to hire more teachers and actually pay them a respectable amount to attract more talent into the schools.

I can think of many ways to reform and improve the public school system, but union busting isn't at the top of my list.

For shame!

[wtmusic]

1. Why didn't the union let Rhee's proposal come up for a vote?

Seems they would benefit by letting everyone know there was solid support against it.

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. It's slick , moronic trash.

Recognized as such by the Oscar nominating committee which ignored it despite the truckloads of $$$ and know-nothing politicians ( Yes, including HIM) behind it.

[hlthe2b]

3. And, it has swayed even progressive viewers...

I had major arguments at dinner with some of my most progressive friends who have decided the teacher's union is all but Satanic. While I shamed them into backing down at their totalitarian anti-union attitude, that damned propaganda fest (and the idolatry given that lying icon for the "dismantle public schools" campaign by everyone from Obama on....) is causing horrendous damage.

Why Michelle Rhee (or whatever he name is) has not been very publicly exposed and shamed is beyond me. I empathize with the teachers of this country, but I have to say I'm damned glad I don't have children at this point.

What is happening to the schools and the teachers and their union is exactly what is planned for all workers in this country. I stand with the people of Wisconsin and pray they may strike the first successful stand to push back.

[Canuckistanian]

5. I heard Rob Reiner praising that film once

I couldn't believe my ears. Didn't he used to be a fierce supporter of progressive causes?

Jesus, just because the mighty OPRAH approves of something doesn't mean it's gospel.

[Starry Messenger]

4. Thank you.

I haven't seen it yet, I'm afraid to put my blood pressure through it. One of the schools targeted in the film, Woodside, is in the district next to mine and they reacted pretty strongly to the BS in the film about them.

We would all love to have smaller class sizes. There was one poster here who asked me, why don't you public schools try it then? God, lady, with what money?? I could have cried.

[dkf]

6. Don't you think it is true though that they think all teachers are the same?

That tenure Information was interesting, as was the comparison of other professions who are subject to losing their licenses. The video of the kid who hid the camera in his backpack was appalling but I am sure most are convinced it was staged.