In Stand and Deliver the students were predominantly Hispanic and lived in a low income neighborhood in California. Although, they weren't rich, they had just as much intelligence as other students. Eighteen students took an AP Calculus exam and all eighteen passed, but because of their race, their economic status, and the poor conditions of the school they attended, the testing agency thought that a cheating conspiracy occurred. Sadly, that wasn't the case and the students tested a second time and all of them passed once again.
Recounting these details from this movie inspires me. Against all odds these students accomplished something even the smartest students in the richest schools can't achieve. However, I was quite dissappointed in how the testing agency treated the students. They acted as if these students were common criminals. Overall, the movie was very realistic. Clearly, the testing agency claimed that "they were just doing their job," but in my perspective they crossed the line. The sadest part is that this movie isn't that recent, yet you see the same things happening today, in similar schools. Obviously, there are some serious faults with the public education system and hopefully over time this will change.
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4 comments:
I totally agree with you. I don't think it was fair at all for those students to be questioned on their intelligence just because they're hispanic. No matter what one's race is everyone has the same chance to pass an AP exam.
Is it race or income that matters most (or maybe these aren't so easily separated)? For example, will a Hispanic child from Beverly Hills have their test scores questioned?
I agree that it is unfair of the educational system to treat people differently based on their racial status and neighborhood. However, on the fair side the agents were working from experience. It is uncommon for people of financially unstable areas to have the teachers that care enough to believe that children are as bright as they are expected be. Most people don't date a another person with the same tendencies as an ex, due to the experience of getting hurt. It is not right, but most people base their actions from experiences.
I agree that it was unfair that the students were judged by their race and the neighborhood they came from. It was amazing that they all decided to take the test again and passed.
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