the energy behind it. well, that s an interesting point, because so much of the discussion in this country about education starting from this default assumption that public education is failing in the country, teacher unions are obstacles to students getting ahead. yet, you re telling the story here. this is not a charter school or private school. this is a public school in brooklyn, and these are union public school teachers. is there a bigger lesson maybe here for people to take from this? that wasn t necessarily the story we went into the film intending to tell. we thought this is a really great, unexpected tale. it s inspiring and uplifting. when we got there, i realized, you know what? this isn t the story we hear all the time. here s a title i school, 70% of the kids are from homes below the poverty level. it serves the neighborhood it s in. it s not a charter school. there s passionate teachers and a supportive administration, caring parents, and i think to
that we will see more success with students as well. has parent involvement gotten better? rahm emanuel is battling the teachers union on extending school hours but he says that parents have to take more responsibility for their kids. i think that true. moo my career, the times where where the parents are more involved i have seen more success. i think is it also on the teach and the school to build a collaborative relationship. the parents need to reach out to the school and schools and communities need to find ways to reach out to the parents and making it accessible for them to come in making it comfortable. our school has something as simple as coffee and tea in the morning so parents can have a conversation. we do translation services for parents who need translation
a part of the community is how progressive and inknow valtive the community, the principal allow this is a public charter. it is. but it is hands-on leadership. we are pulling groups and doing whatever it takes to get in there and make sure that the kids succeed. is this a lottery system? we have anyone that has an address in d.c. can sign up to go to our school. we fill slots on a first-come, first served basis. once you get into the school on the list you have an opportunity to stay as you finish your schooling. each year as open slots are available kids can sign up and enroll. one of the things that was distressing was that parents have to pay for music and art and extracurricular activities. is that the case in your school and how do you get around the fact that the childrens don t have the resources?
down in history as one of the finest secretaries of education we have ever had, arne duncan is here. now it is great to be here at benjamin banneker high school one of the best high schools not only in washington, d.c. but one of the best high schools in the country. and [ applause ] but we have students tuning in from all across america. and so i want to welcome you all to the new school year although i know that many of you have already been in school for a while. i know that here at banker you have been back at school for a few weeks now few weeks now. so everything is just starting to settle in. just like for all your peers all across the country. the fall sports season is under way. musical and marching band
[ applause ] thank you very much. everybody please have a seat. well. madame president, that was an outstanding introduction. we are so proud of denay for for representing this school so well and in addition, i also want to acknowledge your outstanding principal who has been here for 20 years, first as a teacher, now as an outstanding principal, anita berger, please give her a big round of applause. [ applause ] . want to acknowledge as well, mayor gray is here. so the mayor of washington, d.c. is here. please give him a big round of applause. [ applause ] and i also want to thank somebody who is going to do go