The Paradigm Shift

The film, Waiting for Superman, is raising eyebrows among politicians, increasing blood pressure among teachers’ unions, eliciting praise among charter schools, and causing consternation among pastors and parents.  The nation is in a dither over conditions in America’s government schools, especially for fatherless teenagers in ethnic, inner city communities.  Producers of the film affirm that their objective is to instigate a serious national debate over the causes and effects of underperforming public schools.  The debate has been in process since at least 1962 when topics such as prayer in school, academic vouchers, and educational choice began to appear on media pages and legislative agendas.  (more…)