British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Waiting for "Superman"

Synopsis
Documentary examining different aspects of the American public education system. Tenure and how the system attempts to reprimand poorly performing teachers is examined. Teaching standards are criticised as there is often conflicting bureaucracy between teaching expectations at the school, state, or federal level. The film also examines teacher’s unions.
Statistical comparisons are made between the different types of primary or secondary educational institutions available: state school. private school and charter school. There are also comparisons made between schools in affluent neighbourhoods versus schools in poorer ones. Since charter schools do not operate with the same restrictions as public institutions, they are depicted as having a more experimental approach to educating students. Since many charter schools are not large enough to accept all of their applicants, the selection of students is done by lottery. The film follows several families as they attempt to gain access to prominent charter schools for their children.
Language
English
Country
United States
Year of release
2011
Year of production
2010
Notes
The film received the Audience Award for best documentary at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and the Best Documentary Feature at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.
Subjects
Education
Keywords
education; teaching; United States of America

Credits

Director
Davis Guggenheim
Producer
Lesley Chilcott
Writer
Billy Kimball; Davis Guggenheim

Distribution Formats

Type
DVD
Format
Region 1 NTSC
Price
$8.78
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
111 mins
Year
2015

Production Company

Name

Participant Media

Name

Walden Media

Distributor

Name

Online Schools

Web
http://www.onlineschools.org/ External site opens in new window
Name

Paramount Home Entertainment (UK)

Web
http://www.paramountpictures.com External site opens in new window
Phone
020 3184 2300
Fax
020 3184 2102
Address
Building 5
Chiswick Park
566 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 5YF
Notes
Formerly: CIC Video

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