Saturday, April 25, 2015

Waiting for Superman

Is our education system broken?
Last Thursday the Non-Fiction Book Group had a great discussion about schools. We read Real Education by Charles Murray. The author contends that IQ rules all. Children should be tested early for their general intelligence and then educated according to their measured abilities. Lower performing students would not have to read Shakespeare and learn algebra and would not be encouraged to go to college. Needless to say, we were not in agreement.
In May, we're continuing the debate on schools. We're watching (and/or) reading Waiting for Superman. The movie won awards, received great reviews and sparked a national discussion about bad teaching. Waiting for Superman traces the struggle of several families from poor neighborhoods to find good schools. Finding a completely dysfunctional system, the filmmakers find some heroes and some villains and plenty of victims. We're anticipating another lively discussion and invite you to watch the movie and come participate in the debate about schools.
The Non-fiction Book Group meets every 4th Thursday at 10am in the Arnold Room. May's meeting will be on the 28th. If you have any questions about the group contact Rob Lerman (rlerman@minlib.net)

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