My review of "Waiting for Superman"

Can filmmakers please stop labeling films as "documentaries" when the films clearly are not?  A documentary implies an impartial "documenting" of events.  The modern day "documentary" is just nonfiction storytelling.  The director clearly has an agenda (a la Michael Moore) and emotional manipulation is part of the storytelling process.  I'm saying the type of film needs to be abolished; it needs to be rebranded.  "Editorial" maybe.  "Opinion piece" possibly.  But not documentary.

I expected to become enraged by Waiting for 'Superman'.  From everything I had read and seen (from reviews to Oprah to the union newsletter*), I expected to be personally attacked for all the failings in the classroom.  I was pleasantly surprised that this wasn't a witch hunt against teachers.  I did enjoy the film, except for the blatant emotional manipulation.  (I'm insulted that the director thinks intelligent people need a heart-wrench story to buy into the notion that something needs to be done.)

To sum up the film (without any major spoilers), the educational system is broken.  It's the fault of the teachers' union.  Your child will fail if he or she attends a public or parochial school.  Charter schools are the magic bullet.

Clearly this film is biased towards charter schools.  It does mention one statistic that is quickly dropped like a hot turd: only 1 in 5 charter schools are successful.  BTW, that's the same number a public schools.  No successful public schools are presented; no failing charter schools are presented. 

Another aspect missing from the film is that of parental responsibility.  Sure, we see the concerned parents of the students highlighted in the film.  But, what about the thousands who aren't?  Parental involvement is a huge factor, as is student accountability.  I have an acquaintance who teaches high school English, yet his oldest child is a grade behind in reading.  Why?  Because he has been very self-centered regarding the divorce and hasn't focused on his children.  An English teacher's child should not be behind in reading, especially if the child goes to an excellent school (like this one does).

If nothing else, I hope an open and honest dialogue will take place because of this film.  Let's find out what is working and do it.  Let's stop following the latest fad in pedagogy.  Let's get back to basics.  We are all to blame for the failing educational system in this country; for we say we value education, yet our actions indicate otherwise.

*I am not a member of the union.  I'm not a fan of unions, but that is a rant for another time. If I ever plan on teaching full-time in this state, I will be forced to join the union. The union, not surprisingly, HATED this film.