Educational Media Reviews Online

Is the United States beginning to decline as a world power? Is our education system failing the majority of our students and teachers? These are a few of the issues raised in this well-researched, well-edited video.

The main content of this program is showcasing three innovative school programs that prove educational reform is possible, but sometimes difficult to implement. The Frank Porter Graham Center in North Carolina concentrates on quality daycare programs for preschoolers, also educating new, young parents at the same time. The "Microsociety" middle school program begun in Massachusetts links students and their education to real-life situations, i.e. budgeting, grocery shopping, the legal system, etc. And, finally, "Humanitus Academy," a South Central Los Angeles high school program uses a liberal arts approach to build self-esteem. This last program measures success by student progress: 90% graduate from high school and 80% go on to 2- or 4-year college programs. Cronkite interviews principals, teachers, education experts, parents and students to illustrate the importance of these programs and of generally improving our educational system.

This unique Discovery Channel video is aimed at adults and exhorts them to work to improve our education system as it's so vital to our democracy. Public libraries, which are also essential to our democracy, as well as academic libraries will want to purchase this outstanding program.