Poor Public Schools

"The War on Kids" Exposes Problems in Public Education

Is America's public education program failing its students? The conclusion you might draw from Cevin Soling's documentary "The War on Kids" is yes.

Soling's 95-minute film takes a tough look at the practices that happen in elementary and high schools across America. Over the course of six years, Soling investigated troubles that have arisen from schools adopting Zero Tolerance Policies. Although initially intended as proactive responses to school violence, these efforts have mostly succeeded in cultivating an environment of fear in which young kids are penalized for innocent actions.

This film suggests that genuinely educating children has stopped being a top priority for many institutions. Instead, the goal is to keep kids in line. Hence, innovative, out-of-the-box thinking is discouraged. Students who express unconventional opinions are stifled, compelled to hold back their thoughts and frequently subjected to prescription medications in hopes that their conduct will cease to pose a threat to classroom decorum. Meanwhile, behavioral issues on the whole have become much more of an issue, with such conditions as Attention Deficit Disorder growing, and the present psychiatric solutions seem to be contributing to the challenge.

In the documentary is footage that demonstrates the extent to which authority figures exert control over the students in their care. Many educational institutions now resort to metal detectors and drug-sniffing dogs. Moreover, kids have been suspended for carrying innocuous items such as nail clippers that could allegedly be put to use as weapons. Students in such an oppressive environment find learning hard, as they are under a continual blanket of fear. Indeed, many have described the present school experience as being similar to prison, though stringent security techniques haven't necessarily translated into greater student security.

Soling's documentary places most of the blame for America's education crisis with the schools themselves, claiming the infrastructure is excessively authoritarian and so aimed at maintaining discipline that young minds aren't sufficiently nurtured. While the picture that he paints is dismal indeed, the hope is that his film can offer inspiration to repair a profoundly broken system.

"The War on Kids" has already garnered some attention from high places, including mentions on "The Colbert Report" as well as the award of Best Educational Documentary at the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival. With a wider audience, Soling's important message might be spread throughout the country as parents and students find ways to make sure that this present generation doesn't fall through the cracks.

For more information please visit http://www.thewaronkids.com.

Poor Public Schools

By: Abbie Coulter

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