Tough Lessons Regarding The Corrupt Education System Run By The Cartel

A former TV reporter and anchorman created quite a stir when he made a movie documentary about the deteriorating condition of the American educational system. Citing the state of New Jersey as his main example, he is pushing for drastic changes in the way that the schools are being run.

The educational cartel is being pointed as the culprit for much of the nation’s educational woes and the poor showing of its students in math and science tests. Proponents of the theory and the movie blame the out of control, insidious and institution permitted corruption in the budget making and implementing process.

Teachers unions are also being made answerable for thinking only of itself to the detriment of the students. The tenure system is being pointed in particular as the reason why at least 40% of the teachers, according to one estimate, are not good mentors. Union officials are quick to point out that they are only protecting their members from being dismissed by capricious education officials and politicians. They claim there are enough provisions to remove bad and unqualified teachers from their ranks.

The director used the gamut of his television reporting craft in making the movie. His information packed condemnation was presented like in-depth news by using his selection of full headshot and side street interviews, stilted B roll, and special graphic effects. Shifting naturally from one viewpoint to another he efficiently denounced the tenure system while defending his proposed voucher system and the stonewalling of charter schools. Factual information have compensated for the movie’s deficiency in method and construction.

Scenes of a high ranking school official riding on chauffeur driven limo to attend a school budget meeting and a school parking area full of luxury vehicles effectively drives the point that the movie wants to impart. Patience and logic were used to present the need for a state and system change.

The main theme is about reforms in the educational system, depicting it as irreparably corrupt, incompetent, and inefficient in a rational, intellectual, and appealing way. Two alternatives to traditional schools are presented; chartered schools that are free, privately run private schools, and the voucher system, which will provide public funds to partially or fully pay for private school fees.

Teacher’s Union and the tenure process are both being blamed for the shortage of qualified teachers. Teachers unions want to make sure that they have a steady job for life and protect its members from dismissal from service including the bad ones. However, teacher’s union officials dispute the claim, arguing that tenure is meant to protect teachers from the whims and caprices of the school administration and politicians. They claim there are enough ways to remove poor teachers from the schools.

The existence of a real problem cannot be denied. The movie has presented much factual information to be dismissed outright. The sad part is, we can never have real reforms until the school officials admit that there really is a problem.

Morning Joe story of The Cartel Movie, a film by Bob Bowdon.