Documentary Film Needs Educators

[coll]

I am a documentary filmmaker based in Los Angeles.**** I am currently researching a film topic that would explore the issue of racial segregation and educational inequities in today's public public system.**** I am currently looking for the right vehicle to tell this timely story and would like to hear from educators about their thoughts, opinions and experiences.**** If this is something you would like to discuss or would like to point me in a helpful direction, please contact me via email at cmetcalfe@filmgarden.net.
****
Thank you very much and I look forward to hearing from you.

[Unregistered]

I thought your post was interesting. I attended a one room school that had 5 different grades during the 1940's. My father also attended during 1910's. The school is now a historical building. After WWII (1940's) we had all nationalities. There were separate rest rooms and areas of the class that students had to sit. The form of punishment was a wooden paddle. It never made a difference to the teacher as to what nationality the student might be. When you misbehaved that paddle would fly. Education has certainly changed and in a positive direction. Teachers now are trained and have a positive approach to student centered learning to meet their individual needs. I am sure you will not find teachers who would tolerate any discrimination in their classes today or not have the best interests of their students at heart. I might suggest reevaluating your subject area for study?
Thanks, A Teacher

[Unregistered]

You may want to do a positive profile on a program like AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), that helps to close the achievement gap. The purpose of the program is to push middle of the road students into rigorous classes, provide them with support, and thereby get them to graduate on time and be admitted into 4 year colleges. It's an international program that was started in San Diego. See www.avidonline.org

[Unregistered]

11th circuit just upheld tracking based upon teachers perceptions of students ability to learn. Not surprising----black kids and poor kids get tracked into less invigorating classes----but hey--these teachers all love us right?