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Surprised you are not mentioning the Call to Dunkirk or the fact that Glenn Beck is homeschooling and encouraging everyone to get their kids out NOW if they possibly can.

My older children have decided to stay. They are old enough to know what it is REALLY like for them (not what a movie about somewhere else would tell you, and that only from one perspective). I know that all it would take to drop my kids from the district rolls is a note from me. No registration, no "approval" process, nothing. I think it says a lot of GOOD things about the schools my children go to that they choose to remain. I think it is a GOOD thing if only the children who want to be there are enrolled.

Unfortunately, once you compel someone to stay in a building for eight hours a day, they sorta get this idea in their heads that they're imprisoned (fancy that!). My older children go to school, but they are free. A prison is only a prison if you cannot leave. And I think an important question NO ONE really wants to answer is why children want to leave school. What makes it so awful for them? And then make that better, or give them an alternative.

One thing that is lost in the vitriolic traditional public vs. charter "debate" is that there are more choices than that! There always have been.

PS. I always enjoy the artwork you put up with every article, Claus. :)

A friend of mine has been quoting H.L Mencken in her email signature, and the quote seems particularly apt here: "For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong."

In California, where I live, the state has taken this horror narrative to an extreme -- both insisting on radical turnaround strategies for failing schools (based on arbitrary measurements and dubious research) and at the same time cutting funding to a trickle. It's the most elegantly wrong-headed solution possible!

Thank you, Mrs. C--It does speak well of your children's schools that they want to stay there. All schools should strive to make themselves into places where students want to spend their days--where students are engaged and feel challenged. There is some reason for concern that cuts to things like the arts and extra curriculars will eliminate some of the very things that keep our most vulnerable children connected to their schools.

Thanks for the comment on the art--I've always loved that image, and the film isn't bad either.

Rachel--I've seen that Mencken quote more and more frequently of late. It's an important admonition to keep in mind, as long as it doesn't paralyzing us in the name of complexity.

I am a public school teacher. It is evident to me that the person behind this post took the liberty to write about the movie, "Race to Nowhere" without seeing the film all the way through and without participating or listening to the discussion that often follows the film. The claims that are made in the post are inaccurate. After attending 4 screenings of this film in the Bay Area I would like to make everyone aware of some facts. First, public school teachers have been the very FIRST ones to support the film and the issues raised in the film. Second, the Director will tell you that the film's whole purpose it to PROMOTE public engagment--not stifle it--as the above post states. Third, public school principals have embraced the film and have followed up with multiple screening requests for the students, faculty, parents, and community so that dialogue can ensue and positive changes can happen for ALL. Fourth, the film DOES NOT see charter schools or vouchers as the "way out." Fifth, the film DOES NOT call anyone a "villian"--in fact, the film goes out of its way encouraging everyone to "stop the blame game" and instead, to recognize the wonderful opportunity that ALL stakeholders in the public schools have to engage in positive conversation that empowers them as a group, to work TOGETHER to promote and support changes that will provide and sustain positive health, well-being, engagement,teaching and learning for all. Last, I find this film to provide hope and optimism by ending on a positive note that offers concrete and do-able solutions to the issues facing our education system today. Many of individuals associated with the organizations affiliated with "Public School Insights" have spoken up in support of this film at every screening I have attended so PLEASE take the time to see the film in its total form before making such comments that are not "in sync" with your membership. Everyone should see Race To Nowhere and visit their website, www.racetonowhere.com to really see and read the support and dialogue that this film has generated--especially from many public schools across the nation.

Race To Nowhere-A Must See. Thank you Claus, for taking the time to respond to my post and for being so honest. I truly appreciate your candor and I will be eager to read your NEW post once you have had the chance to view Race to Nowhere in its entirety. I also hope that when you have the opportunity to view the film, you stay for the insightful and emotional dialogue that often follows the film. I encourage you and others to visit www.racetonowhere.com to find a screening near you. Needless to say, with so many negative portrayals of education in the media, it is refreshing to have a strengths-based film in this space that not only gives a true and meaningful voice to teachers, students, and parents but also provides solutions--ones supported by so many public school teachers-- that increase teaching and learning for all.