Superman or Silver Bullet?

A new documentary is getting a lot of attention right now.

Waiting for "Superman" is a documentary by "Oscar-winning filmmaker Davis Guggenheim (AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH) dissects the failing American education system, and in doing so, discovers ways to fix it." 

I have not seen the film, but I plan to. I have been reading opinion after opinion after opinion about this film though - because everybody has an opinion about education. As do I.

As I have not seen the film, I won't comment on the film's content, but I have read the description of the film which I have quoted and italicized above. This description comes directly from the movie's website and seems to present the premise for the movie: America's education system is FAILING! Says who?

Here is my issue. Just because somebody says that our education system is failing doesn't make it true. Just because the U.S. education system ranks somewhere other than #1 does not mean it is failing. So much is made of the United States education system being ranked anywhere other than #1 in the world that we seem blinded to all the good, sound progress made in the last ten years. Prosperity is about focusing on what we do have - not worrying about what we don't have.

When I set personal goals - it is about me, what I want for me and for my family, and how my desires resonate with my standards of integrity. It is not about keeping up with my neighbors or Finland.

Let us set our education goals based on what we want to accomplish for our citizens - for our country.

I do like the title, Waiting for "Superman." We are always waiting for something or someone else to come through and save us. I used to call this the "silver bullet." Educators are always looking for that one book, idea, program or curriculum that will kill the demon of ignorance and save the students - magically helping everyone, everywhere become better readers, better thinkers, better people.

There is no one "silver bullet." There is no Superman. We are our own heroes. It takes hard work, good practice, dedication, innovation, sound policy, and citizens willing to agree that school funding is a top priority.

Also, this movie is going in my Netflix list right now.

Head Start Works

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is for kids to be ready to succeed. This means that no matter how much faith we put in public education, (and I put A LOT of faith in public education) schools cannot be expected to do it all. We need to take responsibility for our children's education and teach them to be responsible for it as well.

Head Start Works

This article from Scholastic Administrator takes a look at a study of Head Start from 2002-2005. The results show that Head Start works! Children are more prepared entering kindergarten with a "Head Start." What this means is that kids who would not typically get the chance to participate in any preschool program have a more even playing field with Head Start.

Akron Summit Community Action, Inc. and Community United Head Start operate the preschool and day care programs in Akron and Cleveland respectively. Get in touch with them if you have a preschool aged child ready to learn.
 
Kids can get a head start in many private preschool programs. It is up to us to make sure that the program our child is in does a great job, has a valid curriculum, and employs certified teachers. Kids who get to take part in a great preschool have a step ahead and Head Start provides that for all of us.