California Educator

NOVEMBER 2010

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community about education reform by screening the acclaimed new documentary film Race to Nowhere, holding a town hall discussion afterward. Vogel led that discussion. “We can actu- ally come together as a community,” he told the packed movie theater in Vacaville, his home school district of many years. “We can take our schools back.” For educators, the 85-minute film is a more thoughtful look at public education hopes and problems than the well-financed documentary Waiting for Superman, a polar- izing production that demonizes traditional public schools, teachers and their unions. Julie Timmerman, a fourth-grade teach- er at Markham Elementary School in Vacaville, told the Vacaville newspaper The Reporter that Waiting for Superman was a simplistic view of education that was unfair to teachers. “It’s really hard to hear all of the teacher bashing going on right now.” While focusing on the stresses that stu- dents face, Race to Nowhere also looks at the consequences of federal policies that force teachers to teach to the test instead of provid- ing a well-rounded classroom experience. In its September review of the movie, the New York Times described the effort by first-time filmmaker Vicki Abeles: “Packed with educators, parents, authors and artic- ulate youngsters, Race to Nowhere reaches out to children hounded by a confluence of circumstances: parental fears of a disap- pearing middle class; an emphasis on un- realistic performance standards (the bell curve is not a fantasy); a teach-to-the-test curriculum that favors memorization over critical thinking; and the competitiveness of college entrance requirements.” The makers of the film are using grass- roots distribution tactics, urging teachers, parents and anyone else who wants to host 22 California Educator | NOVEMBER 2010 Film sparks discussion of school reform in Vacaville W ith the help of CTA Vice President Dean Vogel, Vacaville teachers in Solano County galvanized their a screening to go to www.racetonowhere. com for information on how to co-sponsor a viewing. And Vacaville Teachers Associa- tion chapter activist Corey Penrose did just that. He told The Reporter, which did a sto- ry promoting the screening, that the film really shows how the most fragile students are not getting the help they deserve. “The push to narrow the focus doesn’t help the kids who need additional support the most to be successful.” Vacaville teachers received a grant from the CTA Community Outreach Depart- ment to create and air local radio ads promoting the Nov. 4 screening and dis- cussion, with assistance from CTA Board member Larry Allen. Part of the ticket proceeds go to the film’s creators, with a portion going to the Vacaville Public Edu- cation Fund as well. Vogel told the inspired crowd at Bren- den Theatres after the movie that the teachers in the audience are the best hope for fair reforms. Educators want “to re- turn to a comprehensive curriculum — the arts and science and music,” not to cut these vital programs. All math teachers understand the relationship between math and music and how students benefit from that, said Vogel. “It’s all connected.” MIKE MYSLINSKI BAD-02-08-10988.CTA 2/7/08 12:00 PM Page 1**nbkjy5z�**Users:nbkjy5z:Desktop: Enjoy the rewards. Get something back for your everyday purchases. Use your California Teachers Association Visa® Card with WorldPoints® rewards from Bank of America, and you’ll earn points you can redeem for cash, travel, merchandise, even unique adventures.� Rewards for the things you buy anyway. Plus ongoing support for the California Teachers Association. 1.866.438.6262 Use Priority Code FACBGVwhen calling. For information about the rates, fees, and other costs and benefits associated with the use of this Rewards card, or to apply, call the toll free number above, or write to P.O. Box 15020, Wilmington, DE 19850. � Terms apply to program features and Credit Card account benefits. For more information about the program, visit bankofamerica.com/worldpoints. Details accompany new account materials. This credit card program is issued and administered by FIA Card Services, N.A. The WorldPoints program is managed in part by independent third parties, including a travel agency registered to do business in California (Reg. No. 2036509-50); Ohio (Reg. No. 87890286); Washington (6011237430) and other states, as required. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association, and is used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. WorldPoints, the WorldPoints design and Platinum Plus are registered trademarks of FIA Card Services, N.A. Bank of America and the Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. All other company and product names and logos are the property of others and their use does not imply endorsement of, or an association with, the WorldPoints program. ©2008 Bank of America Corporation T-709149-092107 BAD-02-08-10988

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