Lean on Me
Movie Review by:Sadie Lask, American University

Since I noticed that the movie Lean on Me was not included in the text, I thought I would write a lesson for it. The theme and message of the movie apply very well to Chapter 5 Schools and Curriculum of Teachers, Schools and Society.

Summary of Movie:

Based on the true and inspiring story of principal Joe Clark, who is assigned the challenging position as principle of failing Eastside High School. He must fight low test scores, drug dealers, poor facilities, parents and teachers in his battle to turn Eastside High into a better institution. His unconventional methods help him to gain the trust of his students and the attention of the community. Joe Clark encourages his students, Don't lean on excuses, don't lean on drugs, crime or anger. Lean on me and learn.

Reflection:

1. What social and political problems may have contributed to the deterioration of Eastside High?

2. How did the impending state achievement test effect the climate of the school?

3. What do you think was the importance of the school song for Joe Clark?

4. Looking back at Chapter 5 Life in Schools, review the factors that make a school effective. How does Joe Clark attempt to introduce these factors to Eastside High? Which of his methods is most effective?

5. Do you think that Joe Clark oversteps his boundaries as a principle with some of his unconventional methods of discipline?

Answers to Reflection Questions

1. The factors that contributed to the state of Eastside High were related to the politics of the 1980's. Neighborhoods changed in many urban communities and whites left for the suburbs and other schools. Funding was cut for community services and the focus of education was standards based. Drug use and crime rates increased in these urban communities and many high schools became dangerous places.

2. The school was deemed failing by the school board and the main motivation of Joe Clark was to raise the test scores as well as improve the environment of the school. Calendars and posters were hung in the classrooms and the hallways to remind the students of when the tests were. They counted off the days and were told how high their percentages needed to be. They were given a practice test to determine their level of achievement and then the rest of the school year was focused on increasing the scores. It seemed that the tests really took over the curriculum of the school.

3. The school song was a way for Clark to help build an identity for the school. To learn the school song meant that students become active and participated in the pride of the school. This participation developed a sense of respect for Eastside High that brought the order back into the environment. I thought this was a particularly important method. Clark let the students help rewrite the song so that it really meant something to them. They took pride in it and really owned it. Their feelings transcended the song and became more about the school.

4. Strong Leadership: Joe Clark makes it known that he is 100% in charge and is a bit unconventional in this way. He actually disciplines teachers as well as students for breaking his rules. He fires a teacher that talks back to him. He has a strong personality and makes himself known throughout the school and the community. He spends a lot of time in the hallways and the cafeterias with the students. Clear School Mission: The school mission portrayed in this movie is to raise the test scores and improve the school environment. This is very clearly stated, even at an assembly. Clark also works on developing school pride by stressing the importance of the school song. Safe and Orderly Climate: As soon as Clark comes to Eastside High, he throws the drug dealers and violent students out of the school. He eventually chains the doors shut so that drug dealers can't enter the school. He also has students serving detention paint over the graffiti in the school. Clark has a lounge are built in the cafeteria. He does a lot to make the school more orderly and safe. Monitoring Student Progress: This is also portrayed by the mission to improve the school's test scores. The studentıs scores are monitored by the faculty and they given a school percentage which is shown at the assembly. High Expectations: Throughout the movie Clark shows that he believes in the students and that he thinks they can pass the state tests. That faith is a show of high expectations, since most of the administrators donıt believe the students can do it.

5. Clark definitely uses unconventional methods. But they were all necessary in such an extreme case as Eastside High School. Clark went so far as to visit a student at home to discuss her domestic situation with her mother. I think this is unusual but the action had a very positive result. I did find that Clark was portrayed in the movie as a bit hostile and aggressive toward his faculty. I liked his tactics but as a teacher would have found it hard to work with him. A principal really needs to be the leader of a team and I think teachers need to feel that they have some responsibility in the school's success.

Follow-Up Activity

Imagine that you are the new principle at a school like Eastside High School. How would create a safe climate for the students? What tactics wold you employ to show a clear school mission? How would you monitor student progress and create high expectations at a school with such problems?

Follow-Up Actitivy Answer

As a new principal at Eastside High, I donıt know what I would do differently or what would be more effective than Clark's actions. I noticed that he did not have a strong police presence in the school in the beginning. Rather than just throwing drug dealers and users out of schools, making arrests would also be effective. The movie obviously didn't focus on all angles of the school, but a sports team or some sort of athletics could also help increase the pride in the school, just as the school song did. They could also have developed a list of rules or slogans that would state the expected behavior of students at Eastside High. Since the whole focus of the movie was around the state wide tests, they didn't show other standards and expectations for the students. Clark could have focused on sending seniors to college or posting the names of honor roll students. They could have held an awards assembly. All of these things would have given strong messages of high expectations.