Love, Mary

headed by Art Pearl and the University of Oregon, I think. The film is in part a celebration of the success of the program in demonstrating the academic capability of low-status, "at-risk" students. It was made during a time of conservative attacks on such programs, and in this regard it was an important film.

It's easy to see why a teacher would choose this film for a high school class, especially if she wants students to examine the mantras of (educational) hierarchy intoned endlessly by right-wing populists. Sadly, the film remains relevant in 2007. Students like Mary are clearly ill-served by the rigid, standardized testing regimes prescribed by legislation like Bush's No Child Left Behind.