Sunday, October 23, 2011

Waiting for Distribution

We all remember the buzz around Waiting for Superman.  It got everyone talking about the "problems" in education.  Trouble is, the movie is badly flawed with oodles of inaccurate data.  (I am not going to go into this - it is widely documented.)  But how did this movie get out there?  Well, with names like Gates, Broad, and Guggenheim behind it, along with their money of course, the message was heard.  Public education is the devil and charter schools are our salvation.  Yeah.  Right.

But there are four other films out there that are worth our time and address REAL issues and REAL solutions.  The problem?  They do not have big names and big money behind them.  They are relying on local screenings to get their films seen.  Each film tackles similar issues in a different way, emphasizing different facets of the complex world that is education.  Combined, they tell a more global picture.

I have been doing my part to get the word out to my colleagues through e-mails and Facebook, but that's not enough.  The general public needs to see these films.  The general public needs to be made aware of the data and issues.

Below are the titles and web sites for each film.  Please share this info with folks you know.  Society needs to be educated before it can be a part of the dialogue about real reform.


Race to Nowhere: The Dark Side of America's Achievement Culture


http://www.racetonowhere.com/


The Inconvenient Truth Behind Waiting for Superman


http://www.waitingforsupermantruth.org/


American Teacher


http://www.theteachersalaryproject.org/index.php


Mitchell 20


http://www.mitchell20.com/

Monday, October 3, 2011

kjwbvlqouwrybdhnipwjen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's how I feel right now.  Way too much going on and I have no clue how to put it into words.  The highlights:

1.  Mounds of data collection really can save your butt.  Or at least prove that yes, you are indeed doing your job despite the results of one test.
2.  American Teacher and The Inconvenient Truth Behind Waiting for Superman are the new must-see films about education.
3.  I will never be able to stop drinking Diet Coke.  Never, never, never.
4.  Kids + iPods = Engagement.  Time to make it meaningful.
5.  There are always people who do nothing and complain.  And there are always people that bust butt and pick up the slack.
6.  I still hate two things more than anything else: Lying and stealing.  And lying.  Did I mention lying?
7.  Change is inevitable.  But that doesn't mean I have to like it.
8.  I need to buy another Cootie game for my daughter.  She cannot bring herself to take the four apart from the game she has in order to play again.
9.  When in the hell did kindergarteners start having so much damned homework?
10.  The round file is my friend.