Failing grade

This program explores the links between a wide range of educational issues: school safety, overcrowding, privatization, and poor academic performance. The video takes viewers inside Chester High, a Pennsylvania school wracked with security, staffing, and financial problems. The most recent SAT scores showed that only 17 percent of the students were proficient in reading and only 6 percent were proficient in math. The 2004-2005 school year began with a riot sparked by overcrowding; the riot resulted in 28 arrests of students. In fact, Chester's difficulties are so terrible that Edison Schools, the for-profit company hired to run the school, had to pull out. With commentary from many sectors of the community -- including students, parents, school board members, a young principal, Eboni Williams, who tried to make a difference at Chester -- this program sums up the frustrations of everyday people struggling to provide children with a decent education.