With three young children at home, I haven’t watched a movie in . . . well, let’s just say, it’s been a while. When people recommend documentaries they find interesting and inspirational, I think, “Really? Shouldn’t the one hour of leisure per week be reserved for something really inspirational, like Friday Night Lights?”
But I made an exception to the rule and watched CPTV’s documentary, "Education vs. Incarceration” at a community forum hosted by the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance. And the documentary was outstanding: comprehensive, compelling, and yes, completely inspiring. It includes fascinating context from leaders in Connecticut’s youth services and child advocacy community. But as always, it is the youth featured in the film who steal the show.
Just as students should not graduate from law school without having visited a prison, education reformers in Connecticut should not jump into the fray until they watch this film. If we are genuinely interested in educational opportunity for all, we should listen – just for one hour – to these children’s stories. Why? Because the quality of our work should be judged by how well we do by our most vulnerable. And in terms of inspiration, the kids in this film beat Coach Taylor any day.
The film can be viewed online. In addition, there is an upcoming community forum to view and discuss the film:
- When: Wednesday, May 30, 2012, 5:30 refreshments, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. screening and discussion
- Where: Hillhouse High School Auditorium, 480 Sherman Parkway, New Haven, CT
- Please RSVP to John Gill at e-mail jgill@childrenscommunityprograms.org
If you are interested in hosting your own viewing, contact the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance.
