Parents' Guide to

Waiting for "Superman"

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Thought-provoking docu uncovers educational challenges.

Movie PG 2010 102 minutes
Waiting for "Superman" Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 14+

Based on 7 parent reviews

F. Clifton White
F. Clifton White Parent
August 12, 2013
age 18+

The makers of this film think average income people are stupid

Deceptive propaganda piece paid for by a small group of billionaires and ultra-right wingers who hate anything "public" or anything "union". If it wasn't so dangerous and insidious a propaganda piece, I'd put it in the Absolutely Laughable category, along with "Reefer Madness" and others of that ilk. Not good for kids, adults or anyone who wants public education to improve and remain accessible for ALL American children---regardless of the income and status of their parents.
1 person found this helpful.
Tasha T.
Tasha T. Adult
May 11, 2018
age 10+

Don't believe the negative reviews

People might be upset by the truth i this documentary, but our school system has failed millions of kids and will continue to do so unless people start voting for more school choice, giving less power to the teachers union which is corrupt and doesn't have students' education in mind. I am a teacher and I approve this message! This film is heartbreaking and though it's educational for children, right cause fear in them about whether or not they are getting a good education. I still recommend it.
See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN", An Inconvenient Truth filmmaker Davis Guggenheim probes another, perhaps more immediate, calamity: the crumbling American education system. Schools are falling apart; administrators are slow to institute to change; and those who do, like Washington, D.C., Chancellor Michelle Rhee, are thwarted by binding teacher union contracts that won't allow them to fire incompetent teachers. And the students? They aren't meeting standards: In New Jersey, only 40 percent are proficient in reading; in Connecticut, 35 percent; in the nation's capital, a dismal 12 percent. But Geoffrey Canada and other charter school founders may hold one large piece to the puzzle.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7):
Kids say (5):

Knowledge is power, and the information that this sobering documentary imparts practically demands that viewers wake up and smell the chalk dust. Its message? Our country's schools are failing our children because we're watching out for the adults in the education system and not the students it's meant to shape. Straightforward when other, lesser documentaries would have gone opaque and academic while still compassionate, the film is gutsy and opinionated in many eye-opening ways. You will be impelled to act by the time the credits roll.

The film does, however, gloss over many ills: It doesn't address overcrowding and hardly discusses how budgetary challenges hinder calls for change. It's also undermined by a black-and-white stance -- charter schools are the heroes; unions are the villains. But, oh the climax: Watching the families we've gotten to know throughout Waiting for "Superman" hear whether, well, Superman is finally swooping in and saving them from educational quicksand is almost too much to bear. When fifth-grader Anthony says he wants his kids to have more than what he has -- to get a great education -- expect your heart to break.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the premise of Waiting for "Superman" that failing schools lead to failing neighborhoods. Do you agree? Why?

  • Does this documentary approach its subject matter objectively, or does it have an opinion? Is it OK for a documentary to take a specific stance on the topic it's covering?

  • What resources do educators need to do their jobs more effectively?

  • How does Waiting for "Superman" promote communication and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths?

Movie Details

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