Thursday, September 20, 2012

What's This? A Hollywood Film That Bucks the Education Establishment?

Of the upcoming movie, "Won't Back Down," I wrote on my Facebook page a couple of weeks ago, "Hmm. A Hollywood film that casts the incompetent, uncaring, NEA-dominated government school system as the baddie? I just might have to see this."

Well, despite the fact that there are at least a couple of outspoken liberals in the film's cast, the movie does seem to represent a revolutionary change from Hollywood's usual handling of the government schools. So, yes; we just might grab some friends and check it out.

Here's more from Kyle Olson. The comments are from his Town Hall column, "Government School PR Group Hammers 'Won’t Back Down' Movie."

The educational establishment is ramping up its attack of “Won’t Back Down,” a fictional movie of a parent and teacher teaming up to take over a failing school through a “parent trigger” law.

The movie will be released nationally on Sept. 28.

The National School Public Relations Association is now working with the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers in issuing talking points to members about how to best dismiss the point of the movie without actually looking like they’re attacking it.

“We urge you to consider applauding the passion and activism of parents in the movie. You know that your schools and your students will be far better off if this enthusiasm is focused in a collaborative fashion on the local needs of your students and community,” the group wrote.

Translation: It would be stupid to attack the sympathetic characters in the movie, just like it would be dumb to boo Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. But your applause - or approval - should not be directed at the false characterization of the teachers union as the evil force in the movie, or the idea that parents can somehow do a better job than professionals when it comes to educating children...


And here's the film's trailer...