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Okay, what is 2*4? This is a documentary that follows parents, from different communities, to see how the education system is failing current students. This was directed by Davis Guggenheim. I really enjoyed this documentary because, for once, it presented the problem and proved an effective solution (it's been tested and skyrocketed beyond expectations). The situation if very real, and should be placed as a priority among parents and students. The title was a bad choice, but the small link between them makes sense. The idea is where is the Superman who will save the education system?It opens with the idea of school academics remaining stagnent from the 1970's to recent times. Even though the government is offering schools about double the income per child. It also explains how many people have no choice, but to send their children to a failing public system. These public school systems are referred to as drop out factories by many. This is disheartening because it is believed that college=career-a whole new argument with current economic strife. Many people within jailhouses were people who dropped out school systems. This is costing the government twice as much money.
It goes on to explain how there is a confusion within the idea of No Child Left Behind Act. There is a standard that changes from district to district because of confusion between state and government. There is no set standard that is the same within all the overall united states. Now, why isn't there an education reform? Parents want it, our country needs it, but politicians are terrified of change. One change would be tenure for teachers-this was established by the teacher's union to secure a teacher's job. However, this has been set in place soo good that no teacher will ever get fired. This means that bad teachers will stay put, while good teacher's won't receive any salary increases. The teachers union now believes in the idea that all teachers are the same-no differentiation. Even if the teacher doesn't teach. So, as a response public schools will do a type of dance. They will send their bad teachers to a different school district, and this will continue among all the districts, so that way they hope they can have a better teacher than their previous one. In New York, however, they have one large building of teachers, on tenure, who have done so horribly that they aren't teaching. They are placed in a room, and paid to sit around and read. Keeping them in this room is costing government roughly 1 million.
Current systems refuse to accept reform as a plausible solution. An experiment was opened some years ago-character schools. These schools operate from government funds, but without all the regulations that stand in the way of a regular public school system. Since most schools are failing, parents desire to send their children to public school because of it high marks. However, since there are so few successful character schools open their are very long waiting lists. So, a lottery system is established for those parents-the only fair way to decide which students can be accepted into these schools. Interestingly enough, with out failing academics being the worst in the world we still have the highest confidence level in the world (American Idiot by Green Day *wink*-good choice).
Now, some public schools systems have a tracking system. This system is created to decide which students are on their way to success. It was established in the 1950's to create a suitable workforce. Those who are made to become lawyers, doctors, etc. go up high. Then there are those who are meant to work menial jobs like secretary and business man. The lowest is being manual labor jobs. This system no longer works because the world has changed around the education system. Now, it is believed that by 2020 50 million Americans will not be qualified to work within any jobs. This doesn't just apply to disadvantaged children either. Rich economic communities are facing the same problems as a the slums. There was also a charter school opened in one of the worst neighborhoods imaginable (Kipp), and yet they're academics rose above the par of stagnate education.
Sadly, it is my opinion that some colleges aren't up to par with what should be academically acceptable. This is probably a while different documentary altogether.
I give this film a 10 out of 10 stars! This is a very real situation that should be taken into account. Its follows families, and explains their problems with education. It also goes on to present solutions for change if the union, and government, would ease up a bit.
Answer to last blog: Zack Galifiankis portrayed the character Alan in the Hangover Pt. 1 and 2.
Que: What other documentary has Dave Guggenheim directed?
An Inconvenient Truth
The Business of Being Born
This Film Is Not Yet Rated
Who Killed the Electric Car
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