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Deep Dive: Waiting for "Superman" (2010)

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Waiting for "Superman"
Waiting for 'Superman' is a documentary that critiques the American public education system by following students who aspire to attend competitive charter schools like KIPP LA Schools and Harlem Success Academy. The film presents the challenges these students face in accessing quality education and examines systemic issues such as teacher tenure and the difficulties in removing underperforming educators. Geoffrey Canada shares his personal story about the disillusionment with the idea of a savior figure in education, emphasizing that change must come from within the system. The documentary also features Michelle Rhee, the former chancellor of Washington, D.C. public schools, as she confronts teacher unions and the agreements that protect tenured teachers. Statistical comparisons between different types of schools, including state, private, and charter schools, illustrate disparities in educational quality based on socioeconomic factors. The film culminates in a lottery system used by charter schools to select students, highlighting the randomness of opportunity in education.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Geoffrey Canada, a key figure in education reform.
  • •See Michelle Rhee tackle teacher unions in D.C.
  • •Follow families in a lottery for charter school spots.

Did You Know

•The film premiered on September 24, 2010, in New York and Los Angeles.
•During its opening weekend, it grossed $141,000 in four theaters.
•Michelle Rhee faced backlash from teachers and unions while in office.
•A rebuttal documentary titled 'The Inconvenient Truth Behind Waiting for Superman' was released in 2011.

Perfect For

Education reform advocatesParents of school-age childrenPolicy makers