Waiting For Superman(2010)

Genre: Documentary

Directed by Davis Guggenheim who also directed “An Inconvenient Truth” which is a documentary on Global Warming, now has to tell us about American educational System. He tells us in a more dramatic yet painful way. They are in touch with 5 kids and their families and their aspirations to get into a good school and not in a school by their neighborhood which has fairly 50% dropout rate. A Leap of faith taken by the parents to put them in Kips academy, Harlem Success Academy and other institutes comes down to a lottery system where 1 in 20 could get a chance in the school and the rest 19 off 20 will have to be sad. The underprivileged kids who have limited resources can do academically better than suburban kids who have great campus, athletic rooms, etc. Davis focuses on Geoffrey Canada who purposefully chose poorest area to open Harlem success academy. His Mantra was qualified teachers, highly motivated faculties who are highly paid. They tutor kids from day 1 especially on math and English.

The best part comes when there is a chart showing that in developed nations, US ranks lowest in math and reading. But when it comes to confidence US ranks no.1 but is that just enough. Reality hits hard when stats are recorded in Cultured and employed American citizens to Unemployed and increased crime rates. The Comparison of Doctors and teachers getting fired itself speaks for itself. As every one doctor gets fired or the medical practicing degree gets revoked , but for a teacher a period of 2 years is just about to survive and no one can fire the teacher. 1 teacher gets fired among 2500, which is a huge ratio compared to 1 doctor out of 57.Waiting for Superman enlightens that number of school dropouts and increased crime rate is not because of children’s not studying but it’s just because of ineffective teaching skills and poorly motivated faculties who are not a source of inspiration. It’s a hard truth that I feel every country should accept and follow the methods of Geoffrey Canada who has vowed to create a change in the American society for the coming generations who can uplift the country’s future in all streams right from engineering, doctor, lawyers and other professions.

THIS IS A MUST WATCH DOCUMENTARY which solemnly lightens the shortcomings of American Educational system.

Rating: 4/5- Very GOOD