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  • FACT #1 - The average black or latino 12th grader reads at the same level as the average white 8th grader
  • FACT #2 - 58% of black 4th graders are functionally illiterate.
  • FACT #3 - The achievement gap between low-income students & their higher-income peers costs the U.S. about $500 billion/year.
  • FACT #4 - About 50% of students in low-income communities will not graduate from high school by the time they are 18.
  • FACT #5 - 1 in every 8 black males between the ages of 25 to 29 is incarcerated.
Post any thoughts you have on public education, education reform, the President's education policies, or what you would like to see change in education.
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KW
July 29, 2010 12:21 PM
It floors me that, here in the US, there is an argument that competition in education somehow would be a bad thing.

Competition is what made this country great, vs the 5-year planning model.
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KW
July 29, 2010 12:06 PM
RE Sweden - "We find that the extent of competition from independent schools, measured as the proportion of students in the municipality that goes to independent schools, improves both the test results and the grades in public schools. ...The improvement is significant both in statistical and real terms."
http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-984452/Vouching-for-vouchers-school-choice.html
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Debbie
July 27, 2010 4:31 AM
Can you let me know if this film will have a Spanish subtitle option?
We would like to show education related films in our district and to be inclusive (my goal), we need a Spanish inclusion strategy.

Thanks

Debbie
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Sean C
July 14, 2010 4:12 PM
What is the source of the claim that 58 percent of African American 4th graders are functionally illiterate?
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Kate Eastman
July 14, 2010 11:39 PM
The data is out. A large study on charter schools was just published. Charter schools perform at or below traditional public schools. There are the few that do outstanding and that is what this movie is trying to highlight, hiding its political agenda for the shift to privatized education!
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Amber
July 21, 2010 6:39 PM
I agree that for-profit companies in the edu. industry see charters as a profitable front in the war to privatize the country's edu. sys. However, a charter school can be many things & I feel as if we need at least 2 terms for 'charter schools,' -1 to talk about non-profit schools & 1 for for-profit schools & schools managed by for-profit companies. ..I think that would help clarify the debate.
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Iman
July 25, 2010 2:31 AM
provide your sources.
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Iman
July 25, 2010 2:32 AM
that was for "Kate Eastman"
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Tiffany
July 25, 2010 2:44 PM
I totally agree w/ u Kate- when I watched the preview 4 this movie I was horrified. I work @ an NYC pub school that shares a building w/ a charter school. I know 4 a fact that parents are dying to get their kids into these schools that are no better than any reg public school. Yes, there are a select FEW excellent charter schools but there are excellent pub schools too- and they get no mention.
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DA
June 28, 2010 3:54 PM
Great interview on C-span. The director is super however, she was asked about Obama's view on charter schools. I urge her to look at what he did in Washington DC. where he sided with the union and limited the choices of parents in the public school system, denying choice for many families. It was very sad that he put politics of his union friends over the education of (mostly minority) children.
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Teri
June 28, 2010 6:12 PM
I agree the director was wonderful! And, she should, we all should WATCH President Obama's moves on Charter schools. While campaigning, he promised to bring ALL charters into the unions.
Jeremy Lee
June 28, 2010 3:04 PM
Excellent interview and I believe movie too. I feel I learned something new about how public schools need to be shaken up in order to grow. So teachers are being paid thousands and thousands of dollars....most people today aren't really being paid top dollar either it is just a fact of the day. It seems like the concern should be about educating and not getting rich.

Great film!
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Charles
June 28, 2010 2:31 PM
Terrific interview on C-SPAN. I commend Madeleine Sackler on her documentary, and for her ability to handle difficult questions with grace and intelligence.
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bhughes
June 28, 2010 12:24 PM
I watched the extensive interview on CNN last night. I have to admit that I was aware of the issue, but wanted to comment on how impressed I was with the director. I compliment you on your commitment and professionalism. With so much 'trash'tv out there, you were a breath of fresh air. thanks for making great films. I hope to see it.
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David
June 28, 2010 2:06 AM
I suggest reading Diane Ravitch. She helped pioneer the ideas of choice and accountability. Now, after looking at some of the results, she has changed her opinion. She is the most highly respected educational historian working today. She is risking her lifelong career by admiting her mistakes in education reform. Read recent articles written by her...
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