FREE DVD: Stossel in the Classroom + 'Stupid In America'

[Ryan Goble]

OK, for the record, I think John Stossel is a bit nutty - I think his 20/20 "Stupid In America" special was one of the most poorly constructed arguments for a right wing educational agenda I've ever seen.

Don't take my word for it - all you need to do is watch the first five minutes of the show:

I worked four years in a high school where every student was entitled to a free lunch. It was located in one of the poorest areas of the Bronx. The school is now (fall 2009) entering its tenth year. In the fall of 2008 the DOE gave us classroom space for our first dedicated computer lab. At the same time our first science lab was funded and it was shared between the three high schools in our building - roughly 1,300 students.

While many students had serious social and emotional challenges we had two social workers for 450 kids. More than half of our teaching staff were in their early 20s. Our school had no library or gym when I left this summer. When it came to extra-curricular activities we had two sports teams.

These are just some of the contexts Stossel choses to ignore.

I recently found out the AVERAGE career of a NYC public school teacher is 2.8 years. If you want to know why I'll be happy to give my ten cents on that stat in another posting.

The show certainly had some accurate representations of the wide range of experiences indigenous to public schools - but, in my opinion it ended up creating a characterure of students, teachers and administrators.

Additionally, Stossel's definition of good teaching/teachers is painfully simplistic - Are the students "under control" and "managed?" His argument was a reckless polemic that ignores the larger context of public education - especially when he's talking about schools in socioeconomically disadvantaged urban centers.

While that is my opinion on the show - it doesn't mean Stossel doesn't give us a lot to teach with/about. Can you say media literacy education?

That brings me to the resource - Stossel, is now going direct to the very classrooms he thinks are a mess. Yes, John Stossel, master teacher, is offering his annual FREE DVD for teachers covering the following topics:

Vote or Die: Should everyone who is eligible to vote, vote? Does it matter if voters are uninformed? What are the ramifications of uninformed voters? This segment looks at the idea that all eligible voters should vote regardless of their knowledge. Magic Politician/"Rinkonomics": Who do we vote for? Why? This segment takes a look at some of the promises politicians make, and what we expect from our elected officials.

Rebuilding New Orleans: Private vs. Public: What's happened in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina? How much of the city has been rebuilt? This segment looks at public and private efforts to rebuild the city ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

Campaign Finance: Is there too much money in politics? Have campaign finance reforms helped? This segment looks at campaign finance laws, and how they have affected political campaigns and citizen participation in the political process.

Farm Subsidies: Do farmers need money from the government just to survive? When the government helps farmers, are they helping us, too? What would happen to the food supply if some farms went out of business?

Middle Class: Is the middle class really disappearing in America? Each day, we are confronted with reports about how middle class people are struggling to make ends meet, and how opportunities are dwindling. Is this gloom and doom true, or just a perception? This segment looks at statistical and anecdotal information about the middle class in America.

Private Roads: How can the problems of traffic congestion be solved? Is there a place for entrepreneurs and businesses to help? Is it wrong for businesses to make money off those stuck in traffic? This segment looks at private toll roads and efforts to reduce traffic congestion.

Desire To Be Famous: What's so important about being famous? Why not wealthy or intelligent? Why not cure cancer? This segment looks at the desire of American youth to be famous and what it says about our values.

Again, you can see Stossel's agenda pretty clearly here. There are tons of things to teach about from these clips/ films. I always find it useful to teach these types of films in conjunction with definitions and examples of logical fallacies. The last clip sounds pretty interesting to me - I can't wait to see his treatment of fame in America.

As a bonus Stossel's DVDs come with teaching guides. I have not looked at them yet, but if they are as scary as his show please let us know in the discussion section below. If we're lucky we'll get similar educational outreach efforts from Lou Dobbs, Glenn Beck and Bill O'Riley. One can only dream.

Full info on the Free Stossel DVD: http://stosselintheclassroom.org/selectdvd.php

On a related note, I love Michael Moore's ideas and intentions but his films are always loaded with their fair share of shoddy arguments. In an effort to create a 'fair and balanced' classroom (lol) I've given Moore's films the logical fallacy treatment multiple times in my high school classes.

I would love to see a series of PSAs on network television about logical fallacies - perhaps that kind of thinking is only the domain of un-american socialists? Name that fallacy for extra credit points below.

Here's hoping that co-op capitalism takes hold sometime in the near future!

[Lynn Gregory]

We spend more and do less for students. I was a high school teacher for a short time and have had a good deal of interaction with public and private school teachers. I also study classroom communication and student outcomes in higher ed.

School reform is imperative- spending reform is imperative but a paradigm shift is essential. School is not a babysitter and parents need to be involved. This puts me in mind of the millions in incentives paid out to businesses bailed out with taxpayer money because they need to attract and keep the best people in those positions. Meanwhile, we pay teachers nothing and prey on their dedication to students to keep them from striking to get or to keep affordable health care.

I recall being loaded down with paperwork that was meaningless and trying to work within a system that did not serve students or support teachers who wanted to make a difference. Testing and teaching to the test were the norm. Short-term learning strategies that were expensive and useless for long-term learning which requires more personal responsibility and effort on EVERYONE'S part.

I get students in college who complain because they have too much homework, have to think critically, and must take personal responsibility for their education. Students want to hear what is on the test and, even when I tell them, 20% don't pass. I can't help but think that they have been robbed of an education in an era where teaching to the test is what they take away from a public education.

[Marek Bennett]

Interesting point re: Wall Street compensation vs. education sector compensation... especially when the facts of bank failure and systemic collapse DISPROOVE the "high pay = best & brightest minds" logic.

I propose that teachers' unions also insert into their contracts clauses for million-dollar year-end bonuses (NOT connected in any way to student performance)! ;^)

[Ryan Goble]

Yeah, to me the biggest issue is re-defining "good teaching" for the American public. People still obsess on "rigor" which usually means lots of things to do and read that students must struggle to comprehend on their own - this, of course takes the teacher OUT of the equation and looks at them as content providers and behavior managers.

[Ryan Goble]

Lynn, I love this line "Short-term learning strategies that were expensive and useless for long-term learning which requires more personal responsibility and effort on EVERYONE'S part." So true!

[Tim Albert]

Stossel is an interesting character, however he does tackle some focused subjects and has provided a large library of digital media to use as classroom resources. We use his specials on happiness and belief in Sociology to engage students in a discussion about just what the heck happiness is (and how to get it) and the power of belief in culture. At least in those shows his agenda is not so apparent so it leaves just the meat (or tofu in my case) for the students to chew on.

I agree with you about Moore as well Ryan. When I teach U.S. History I use Fahrenheit 9/11 but give my students a supplement sheet of the case against Moore that follows along with his "evidence" in the film. It provides for a great discussion not just on American foreign policy but on the power of propaganda on both sides of the aisle!

[Ryan Goble]

Yeah, I certainly imagine Stossel has more mindful reporting and I'm glad you came to the defense of the work and spoke to his merits. That special above certainly contained some truths but the tone and selective storytelling were painful. I wish I had a chance to view that with students in the Bronx at the time. Never thought of screening it :(

Thanks for adding to the discussion and reminding folks to check the DVD out for themselves!

[Ryan Goble]

Paula, great cartoon addition to the discussion - thanks!