Public Education and Oprah

Attention: Oprah has entered the public education reform movement. Publicity, awareness, fist pumping and money are sure to follow. Always a supporter of public education, Oprah had the director of “Waiting for Superman” Davis Guggenheim and a few of the documentary’s young stars on her show September 20 for a “wake-up call” to all Americans concerning their education system. Bill Gates andMichelle Rhee joined Oprah along with several leaders of successful schools. Oprah and her guests debated the charter schools’ issues, discussed the pros and cons of teacher unions, raised awareness with teacher training and spoke of unconventional ideas. Discarding the secrecy concerning public education is necessary, and I am pleased to see Oprah taking part.

Oprah provides a platform for education reform that no other person in America can. When she asked her guests to define charter schools (they are schools that are allowed not to operate under normal public school rules), I tingled because I knew that the public was watching, and learning about education issues. Oprah’s show did focus on “Waiting for Superman” and some funny scenes from the movie. These cartoonish scenes, such as the “lemon dance” where administrators exchange lousy tenured teachers before each new school year, impacted Oprah’s audience and began a dialogue. For instance, another segment compared a town’s charter and public schools. The charter school does not “track” its students, while the public school does. For those without education lingo, tracking is where educators (and hopefully parents) assign students to certain classes that best suit them. In other words, Bobby may do better in general math, but Sam needs advanced math, since his previous math grades are high. This, of course, may rob Bobby if he is really only a poor test taker or had a few rough years because his parents were getting a divorce. Bobby will probably have new and inexperienced or older and terrible teachers, while Sam will have teachers who love teaching classrooms full of math whizzes. You can recognize the inequality, as Oprah’s audience did.

Oprah’s show about a movie gave viewers a neatly packaged crash course on public education. Oprah wants “to open the door” for this movement, and she normally fulfills her goals. She emphasized not to think this is “not your problem” because Americans cannot compete in a global economy with uneducated citizens, especially since other countries continually improve their school systems. Her passion was real, shown when she adamantly stated, “you shouldn’t have to win the lottery to go to school!” No matter individual opinions, Oprah’s public image is one of trust, progression and equality. Oprah resonates with viewers. Activists can say at this moment, “but I’ve said this for years!” I too have debated teacher union issues and nonsensical policies for a decade. I understand the frustration with having such a little voice in a big movement.

Fellow education activists and teachers, let’s be ok with Oprah’s enthusiasm toward the education movement. Public education needs an overhaul, and Oprah wants to help.

Photo Credit: Flickr

Original Source: www.justmeans.com/Public-Education-Oprah/32059.html