Lacy Massara waiting for superman

Lacy Massara
GOVT2306

1.) What problem is the focal point of this film?

I believe this film had several focal points throughout. The link between education and crime, such as the example of 68% of all prisoners in Pennsylvania are high school dropouts. The fact that 33,000 dollars a year is spent on a prisoner versus at max 9,000 dollars a year on a student. Second would be that America is under educated ranking 25th in Math and 21st in science, despite No Child Left Behind. Third is that there are too many bad teachers and it is impossible to get rid of them in great deal to do with the teachers union. The fourth would have to be that Charter Schools such as Kipp and the Seed Program are great alternatives to poor public schools, our “Dropout Factories”.

2.) When did the problem become a matter of serious concern?

Education became a problem when bureaucracy started coming before the education of our young people, our future leaders. When bad teachers became protected under union agreements. It became a serious concern when entertainment trumped education in means of leaders and role models.

3.) Where is the problem most acute?

These problems are most severe in poverty ridden communities, with high crime rates, and generation after generation falling down the same path. Majority from single parent homes. Their environment deciding their future. The lack of role models and leaders in these communities. Communities where High Schools are classified as "“Dropout Factories”.

4.) Who are the stakeholders? What stake do each have?

First and most important are the children whom deserve the education. They are the future of this country. So I guess you could say the country is the stakeholder, and without educated, innovated leaders where will we be. Future generations, as you seen when the young boy was talking about wanting better for his children than he had, and with this would eventually bring less and less poverty.

5.) Why does the problem exist?

According to the movies there seemed to be a combination of reasons the problem existed. The lack of money in the education system, the teachers union and the tenure agreement allowing bad teachers to keep their jobs. The overall priority of what needs to be done in the education system versus the bureaucracy.