Waiting for ""SUPERMAN"": How We Can Save America's Failing Public Schools (Participant Guide Media)

## Product Description **Each book includes a $15 gift card from DonorsChoose.org to give to a classroom in need.** The American public school system is in crisis, failing millions of students, producing as many drop-outs as graduates, and threatening our economic future. By 2020, the United States will have 123 million high-skill jobs to filland fewer than 50 million Americans qualified to fill them. Educators, parents, political leaders, business people, and concerned citizens are determined to save our educational system. Waiting for __"Superman"__ offers powerful insights from some of those at the leading edge of educational innovation, including Bill and Melinda Gates, Michelle Rhee, Geoffrey Canada, and more. Waiting for __"Superman"__ is an inspiring call for reform and includes special chapters that provide resources, ideas, and hands-on suggestions for improving the schools in your own community as well as throughout the nation. For parents, teachers, and concerned citizens alike, Waiting for __"Superman"__ is an essential guide to the issues, challenges, and opportunities facing Americas schools. ## About the Author **Karl Weber** is a writer and editor based in New York. He collaborated with Muhammad Yunus on his bestseller __Creating a World Without Poverty__ and has edited two previous Participant Media Guides, __Food, Inc.__ and __Cane Toads and Other Rogue Species__. **Davis Guggenheim** is a critically acclaimed, Academy Award-winning director and producer, whose work includes __It Might Get Loud__, the 2009 documentary featuring Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White; and __An Inconvenient Truth__ featuring former Vice President Al Gore, which won the Oscar for Best Documentary in 2007. More recently, Guggenheim directed Barack Obama's biographical film for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, as well as Obama's 30-minute primetime infomercial. Guggenheim has also directed many television series including __Deadwood__, __NYPD Blue__, and __24__. Product Description Each book includes a $15 gift card from DonorsChoose.org to give to a classroom in need. The American public school system is in crisis, failing millions of students, producing as many drop-outs as graduates, and threatening our economic future. By 2020, the United States will have 123 million high-skill jobs to filland fewer than 50 million Americans qualified to fill them. Educators, parents, political leaders, business people, and concerned citizens are determined to save our educational system. Waiting for "Superman" offers powerful insights from some of those at the leading edge of educational innovation, including Bill and Melinda Gates, Michelle Rhee, Geoffrey Canada, and more. Waiting for "Superman" is an inspiring call for reform and includes special chapters that provide resources, ideas, and hands-on suggestions for improving the schools in your own community as well as throughout the nation. For parents, teachers, and concerned citizens alike, Waiting for "Superman" is an essential guide to the issues, challenges, and opportunities facing Americas schools. About the Author Karl Weber is a writer and editor based in New York. He collaborated with Muhammad Yunus on his bestseller Creating a World Without Poverty and has edited two previous Participant Media Guides, Food, Inc. and Cane Toads and Other Rogue Species . Davis Guggenheim is a critically acclaimed, Academy Award-winning director and producer, whose work includes It Might Get Loud , the 2009 documentary featuring Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White; and An Inconvenient Truth featuring former Vice President Al Gore, which won the Oscar for Best Documentary in 2007. More recently, Guggenheim directed Barack Obama's biographical film for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, as well as Obama's 30-minute primetime infomercial. Guggenheim has also directed many television series including Deadwood , NYPD Blue , and 24 . This Book Explores Politically Charged Topics Through A Series Of Essays By Thinkers At The Leading Edge Of Educational Innovation. It Shows How Failing Schools Destroy Neighborhoods--not The Reverse--and How Research Reveals That Dedicated, Attentive Teachers Are What Help At-risk Kids Succeed. Inspired The Film Directed By An Inconvenient Truth's Davis Guggenheim. Prologue: The Problem. A Nation Still At Risk -- Pt. 1: The Film. Introduction: Waiting For Superman, The Story Behind The Movie ; Voices From Waiting For Superman ; The Making Of Waiting For Superman / Davis Guggenheim ; The Road To Super Tuesday / Lesley Chilcott -- Pt. 2: Francisco. Introduction: Francisco's Story ; How Schools Kill Neighborhoods--and Can Help Save Them / Bill Strickland ; The Difference Is Great Teachers / Eric Hanushek -- G Pt. 3: Emily. Introduction: Emily's Story ; Calling All Citizens / Eric Schwarz ; Pt. 4: Anthony. Introduction: Anthony's Story ; Putting Kids First / Michelle Rhee ; Five Foundations For Student Success / Randi Weingarten -- Pt. 5: Bianca. Introduction: Bianca's Story ; What Really Makes A Super School? / Jay Mathews -- Pt. 6: Daisy. Introduction: Daisy's Story ; Bringing Change To Scale : The Next Big Reform Challenge / Geoffrey Canada ; Educating America's Young People For The Global Economy / Bill And Melinda Gates -- Pt. 7: What You Can Do. How You Can Make A Difference / The Alliance For Excellent Education ; Web Sites And Organizations Devoted To Children, Schools, And Education Reform ; Mom Congress Lesson Plan For Change / Editors Of Parenting Magazine. Edited By Karl Weber. A Participant Media Guide. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 265-269) And Index. Each book includes a 15 gift card from DonorsChoose.org to give to a classroom in need. The American public school system is in crisis, failing millions of students, producing as many drop-outs as graduates, and threatening our economic future. By 2020, the United States will have 123 million high-skill jobs to fill — and fewer than 50 million Americans qualified to fill them. Educators, parents, political leaders, business people, and concerned citizens are determined to save our educational system. Waiting for "Superman" offers powerful insights from some of those at the leading edge of educational innovation, including Bill and Melinda Gates, Michelle Rhee, Geoffrey Canada, and more. Waiting for "Superman" is an inspiring call for reform and includes special chapters that provide resources, ideas, and hands-on suggestions for improving the schools in your own community as well as throughout the nation. For parents, teachers, and concerned citizens alike, Waiting for "Superman" is an essential guide to the issues, challenges, and opportunities facing America's schools. The American public school system is in crisis, failing millions of students, producing almost as many dropouts as graduates, and threatening our economic future. By 2020, the United States will have 123 million high-skill jobs to fill and fewer than 50 million Americans qualified to fill them. Educators, parents, political leaders, business people, and concerned citizens are determined to save our educational system. This book, which delves more deeply into the issues raised by the acclaimed documentary film, offers powerful insights from some of those at the leading edge of educational innovation. Waiting for "Superman" is an inspiring call for reform and include special chapters that provide resources, ideas, and hands-on suggestions for improving the schools in your own community as well as throughout the nation. For parents, teachers, and concerned citizens alike, Waiting for "Superman" is an essential guide to the issues, challenges, and opportunities facing America's schools. - Back cover. The American public education system is in crisis. Millions of students attend "failure factories" that produce more drop-outs than graduates; millions more attend "nice" schools that mask mediocre achievement. The U.S.'s reading and math scores stagnate and even fall behind, while other countries continue to advance. But many are working to reinvent this system. The film Waiting for "Superman," directed by An Inconvenient Truth's Davis Guggenheim, chronicles these efforts through the interlocking stories of a handful of students and families searching for alternatives, and of reformers proving that all kids can learn