Have you ever wondered or doubted the educational system in the United States?
Well if you have, I highly recommend this very enlightening film. The film is produced and directed by Colin Dunn.
The film asks some thought provoking questions...
- How was the American school system established?
- Are our kids physically and morally safe in the schools?
- Can the current system be fixed?
- Is the current system religiously neutral?
Mr. Dunn is a Scottish born homeschooling father of seven children. In the film, he sets out on a quest to understand the origins of America's school system and the impact that the modern school system has on our families. This is something many of us have wondered ourselves. Whether you homeschool, send you child to public schools, or send them to private schools, we all have doubted or questioned the system at one time or another.
Like many adults, I went through the public school for a few years and then ended up attending a private, Catholic school for the remaining years. Even though I was part of the school system, I never knew how the concept came about. I knew at one time kids were taught at home. We have all read stories about our early ancestors. I also knew that at some point in history that changed. How did I know this? I watched and read Little House on the Prairie. Laura was taught in a one room school house and went on to be a teacher.
I'll be honest I didn't know much more about our school system. Even when I decided to homeschool, I never did any research about our current system. I just knew that it wasn't the best option for my kids or our family. If you would like to find out a little on how the education system came about, you can read this article by Samuel Blumenfeld, who is interviewed in the film. I found him to be very insightful in the film.
As parents, we all want what is best for our children. When they are little, we nurture them. We provide food, shelter, toys, and plenty of love. We don't just through them outside to fend off the wolves by themselves. If we did, we would be hauled off to jail. As they get bigger, their basic needs change slightly. They are less dependent on us, but they still need our guidance. We still want what's best for them but it now includes the best education. We want them to have the best opportunities when it comes to extracurricular activities...sports, drama, art, debate team,etc. The list is endless. We still want them to be kept safe. It's the natural order of life.
But does the public school system do all of that? Does it do any of that?
Mr. Dunn sets out on a journey, across America in a big, yellow school bus, to interview various educators, ministers, parents, authors, etc. As the journey progresses, we follow the timeline of the early education system all the way to the current system. It's a very eye opening journey. The film is from a Christian point of view, but I do believe many parents, who have no faith or are lacking in their faith, could gain a lot knowledge from this film.
Mr. Dunn does an excellent job explaining how our current system has gotten to where it is today. No matter what faith you are (or if you do not believe), we have seen the issues with the current system. Our children are falling further and further behind on the education ladder. Violence in schools has increased. It's a sad day when parents have to worry about their children being shot to death in the very place that are supposed to be safe in. We send our kids to school to learn and to get the best education possible! We don't send them to learn about the harsh realities of life.
Is that happening? Are our children receiving an excellent education form the current system?
Maybe for a select few.
Overall what are our kids learning at school...violence, foul language, how to bully, how to do drugs and drink excessively, how to make out in the school hallways, and how to disrespect authority, especially their own parents. The list of negatives seem to out weigh the positives.
Smart kids are made fun, not encouraged. Education is no longer seems to be the priority.
Our education standards has dropped. It saddens me to think of all the amazing teachers that are out there that can not provide for their students. The get frustrated and end up walking away.
I have talked to numerous teachers, who have since retired or left the system because of frustration. All of them have said the same thing..."We are no longer teaching the kids!" It's about bureaucracy. Many teachers love their children and try to do the best they can, but for many their hands are tied.
Even the standards for teachers has dropped. I recently read a book about the smartest kids in the world and how they got that way. It amazed me to see how much time, not money,other countries put into their teachers and students. America could take a few lessons from a country like Finland.
Our current system is failing. The worst part about it is that it's hurting our children.
Do we stand back and do nothing?
IndoctriNation is a fantastic film that digs deeply into our current system. Mr. Dunn share the information he has learned along his journey, but more importantly encourages parents to dig deeper. He wants parents to question and help improve the current public school system. I would recommend every family with school age children in the United States to watch this film!
If you want to learn more about the film and read some other reviews just click on the button below!
Till Next Time,
~Monique
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