Flunked
Flunked
Out of 29 participating nations, where did America rank on international student assessment? (24th!)
A story of failure.
A formula for hope.
Narrated by JOE MANTEGNA
FLUNKED is a look at the state of education in America. But instead of wallowing in the muck of negativity, this film highlights schools and educators nationwide that are succeeding in the midst of a failing system.
In the filming of FLUNKED, our team visited many schools of various types: public, private, charter, home-schooled families, virtual academies, etc. We wanted to stress the fact that all these educational environments can be successful under proper circumstances, and that we need a combination of all to provide ample competition and differentiation between schools. After all, we believe that education options should vary as much as our students -- that a one-size system does not fit all.
The stars of FLUNKED are our education "all-Stars," men and women from all walks of life -- parents, teachers, principals, business professionals -- who are making a difference to our students. These individuals have defied the odds, pressed the system and succeeded in seemingly impossible situations. Through it all they have proven that solutions in education are available here and now, if we will only follow their examples.
"Imagine what would happen in Los Angeles, or New York, or Denver, if the garbage didn't get picked up for three weeks? Not because of a strike, just inefficiency. Your garbage piled up for three weeks, across the city, guess what would happen? The mayor would be recalled in the fourth week. But we accept this failure rate in a public education system."
-- Steve Barr, Founder, Green Dot Schools
"Parents don't want political correctness -- that's what politicians want, and they believe that's what parents want.... That's not what parents want. Parents want their kids to learn Algebra in eighth grade.... They want good curriculum."
-- Ben Chavis, Principal of the American Indian Public Charter School, Oakland CA
Running Time: 46 minutes