Hattip to Spencer Kornhaber over at OC Weekly, who posted that the premiere of "Not as Good as You Think," a documentary about Capistrano Unified School District, is Wednesday, May 20.
From Kornhaber:
The movie, sponsored by the pro-"school choice" Pacific Research Institute, chronicles the "Myth of the Middle Class School" -- the idea that by living in affluent areas, your kids are guaranteed an at-or-above-par public education. To make their point, the film makers went to richie-rich south OC and interviewed the parents behind the Capistrano Unified "recall" movement.
--Clip--
As for anyone skeptical of the recall movement, thinking it's just a front for the advancement of private school interests: This film might not assuage your fears, given that it's pro "choice" -- which includes, yes, vouchers. But it does tout the Swedish system of education, so it can't be all bad for hard-core evil socialist liberals.
Anyways, Not As Good As You Think makes its SoCal debut tomorrow, May 20, at the St. Regis in Dana Point. Cocktail gala at 6 p.m., movie at 7 p.m., Q&A with the director, producer and recall rep at 8 p.m. RSVP online here.
Click here to see Kornbaher's post, which includes a trailer.
From Education Alliance's BLOG
Saturday, December 01, 2007
An Must Read Article on School Choice!
One of California's best resources for education policy is the Pacific Research Institute (http://education.pacificresearch.org/). One of its Senior Fellows, Vicki E. Murray, Ph.D., has published an article entitled "School Choice is the Cure for Over-priced, Underperforming Public Schools."
No need to fill that public relations position thanks to Education Alliance...could this be Mr. Maddox's the big secret...
Posted by: Ed Alliance to the rescue | May 19, 2009 at 03:15 PM
Just another propaganda film. Follow the money-St. Regis? How many kids would be saved if they donated the money to schools and children in need. Instead, we will have another useless "documentary" that will further divide our community and our nation. Thank you Education Allince.
Posted by: Friend | May 19, 2009 at 05:44 PM
Education Alliance had nothing to do with this film, and if the money from St Regis and others can raise awareness of the failings of our public school system and viable solutions, great. Then maybe we can stop wasting more money on a failed system that is in denial and it's entrenched special interest defenders. By focusing on the real, systemic problems and honestly considering solutions and alternatives, this could be the best way for St Regis and others to help those children in need.
Posted by: It's only progaganda because it's not your propaganda | May 19, 2009 at 06:05 PM
To: Its only..
I believe that the $300,000 settlement "won" by Mr. Winsten from the district went to the Pacific Research Institute. Now, that Institute is sponsoring this anti-public school propaganda film. Is it the hight of hypocricy or what?
Posted by: Friend | May 19, 2009 at 06:26 PM
Friend, as usual with the district apologists on this blog, you're wrong. The Pacific Research Institute had nothing to do with Winsten's case. Even if what you said was true, the legal point pressed and won by Winsten exposed CUSD as a wrongdoer, again. Unfortunately, justice costs whether we like it or not. You'd think this corrupt district would finally wake up. Regardless, in your haste to smear one of the reform trustees as a hypocrite, you grossly misstated the facts, making you the height of something else, instead. Sloppy, sloppy. But then again, this is Beyond the Blackboard.
Posted by: Your propaganda isn't even good propaganda | May 19, 2009 at 07:00 PM
CUSD is not a failed system - at least not until the new school board took office. With this latest revelation on the nasty, dastardly, corrupt, failing CUSD, we can now connect the dots. The Rutherford Institute, The Pacific Research Institute and the Education Alliance are closely related - a lot of their money comes from the same sources. I would bet the guests at the St. Regis tonight include our entire school board, plus the Beals, the Russels, Jim Reardon, Barbara Casserly - all leaders in the recall movement. The money that has been spent to discredit this school district is astounding. It would be nice to know which of our locally elected officials attend this meeting tonight, showing lack of support for the local public schools. These are folks who want to desert the public school system. Anyway to see who attended?
Posted by: public school supporter | May 19, 2009 at 07:07 PM
CUSD was a failed, virtually bankrupt system under Fleming and the Old Guard trustees (before the state crisis) and has remained so since despite the dogged denials and refusals to change by entrenched special interests. That's what the two recalls, the last three elections, the DA and grand jury investigations, the Fleming-McGill prosecutions and many other issues and events were all about. The response from die hards like yourself? Kill the messengers. Trouble is, they really are just messengers. The corruption and failures were, and remain real. But those connect-the-dot conspiracies sure are intriguing. Just ignore the true reasons and motivations and they're endless fun.
Posted by: More bad propaganda | May 19, 2009 at 07:23 PM
Can someone dig some facts regarding the connection between the Winsten's lawsuit and the Pacific Research Institute. Then between the Pacific Research Institute(I believe they run some anti-teachers' union TV ads)and this film?
It will be interesing to see how the dots are connected. I bet this is the same thing: GOP, Education Alliance, Christian evengelicals at their best attacting public schools in an attemp to plant their own schools (read charter schools funded by public money.) I would be interested to learn more about these stealth connections.
Posted by: Friend | May 19, 2009 at 07:45 PM
If I were an elected official, I would attend such an event because I care about public schools and want to improve them. I would attend because I realize the problems with public education are chronic and pervasive and we no longer can afford to rely on the same old failed "solutions" offered up by the same old special interests. I don't oppose public education, I just disagree with the vision of public education we have been force fed by entrenched special interests for years. I would support any other elected officials who attended, as well.
Posted by: I would attend to support public education | May 19, 2009 at 07:47 PM
There is no connection between Winsten's lawsuit and the Pacific Research Institute. But hey, knock yourself out connecting those dots.
Posted by: Dead end again | May 19, 2009 at 07:59 PM