The state of education in the US has been top of mind ever since having children, as I’m sure it is for so many of us parents. And now there’s a really important documentary I sincerely hope you’ll take a look at if you care about oh, things like every kid in America getting a shot at a good education.
Admittedly, I am not unbiased when it comes to Going Public, the upcoming documentary film from executive producer, author, and lauded educational consultant Nancy Letts. That’s because I know Nancy about as well as anyone; she’s my mother.
This documentary, with the help of some of the most prominent voices in education like Peter W. Cookson, Diane Ravitch, and Lisa Graves, is exposing the untold story about what’s becoming an increasingly corrupt system, as political interests and corporations have systematically privatized public education–something they are succeeding at in scary numbers. Consider it the Inside Job of education; follow the money, and you’ll find a wildly compelling case for protecting the right and ability of all children to have the option of an excellent public education.
Every other democracy in the world has managed it. Now it’s our turn.
I sincerely hope you’ll check out the Going Public Documentary trailer on Indiegogo, read more about the project and consider making a donation (we have a very ambitious goal!) if this is a cause as near to your heart as it is mine so that the movie can be completed. It’s a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, and a darn good cause. Plus, $50 gets you a copy of the film.
You can also share the project with teachers, and fellow parents and educational advocates, which would mean the world to me.
Whether or not your own children are in public schools, I do hope you’ll see the importance for all children to have access to the best education they can have, for the greater good of our country.
Yeah, I’m biased. But you know, mostly I’m biased in favor of my own children’s futures, and your children’s too. And I don’t think you could blame me for that. –Liz
Check out the Going Public Documentary on Indiegogo and make a contribution today, to help save public education in America. Also read more about the issues in public education today at Goingpublic.org
Thank you so much Steve! -Liz
Can’t wait to see the movie Liz. There are few problems we cannot educate our way out of — and it all starts with strong public schools.
Why ( at around 46 seconds of promo.) does Peter Cookson say, “The founders held education and democracy as inseparable.” The founding fathers were extremely fearful of democracy, that is why they formed a Republic. Our founding fathers loved liberty, not majority rule, and felt democracies were a dangerous form of government. As an educator, he should know and be teaching this.
“Democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security, or the rights of property; and have, in general, been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.”
– James Madison
“The experience of all former ages had shown that of all human governments, democracy was the most unstable, fluctuating and short-lived.” – John Quincy Adams
Thanks for posting! Can’t wait to see the movie, interested to see the take from an insiders perspective. Have a similiar belief in the public school sector for K-12 but also for college as well; we can change thru education. Without funding and exploitive behaviors from the politicians/private businesses we are on a path to failure; it’s just a matter of time. I wish your Mom the best with their funding and educating who listens. Bless your Mom and their efforts.
I too believe that strong schools and great teachers are critical to our success as a nation and ensuring students have all the opportunities possible. Respectfully, I disagree that private and/or for-profit companies are the enemy. Some changes that we need in education, including increasing our use of innovative technologies, require R&D funding that just can’t happen through government alone.
I have worked for non-profit and for-profit education technology companies both of whom re-invest the revenue into new product and service development. I have yet to find anyone at these companies who cares about profit above effective products for teachers. If they didn’t they wouldn’t be in education – they could all make big bucks in other industries and are choosing to be in education because they care about it. I’m sure there are exceptions, but my experience has been that people choose education because they care about it.