President Obama Hosts 'Waiting For Superman' Children At The White House (PHOTOS)

On Monday, President Obama hosted the five children featured in the documentary "Waiting For 'Superman' " for a visit to the White House, USA Today reports.

The film explores the struggles of five students entering lotteries for the chance to win spots at various charter schools -- in the hopes of leaving behind under-performing public schools.

PHOTOS:

• • • • • • President Barack Obama greets the five children who were featured in the documentary "Waiting for Superman" in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Oct. 11, 2010. Sitting on the coach are from left to right, Francisco, from Bronx, NY., Bianca, Harlem, NY, Daisy, East Los Angeles, Emily, Silicon Valley Calif., and Anthony from Washington, DC. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Comments

[Jamie Stahl Bowsher]

12:19 PM on 10/17/2010

I am terribly disappointed in President Obama. RTTT is no better that NCLB. We cannot expect every child to achieve at the same level within a limited time frame. Children are not machines. They are individuals with individual abilities and needs. I am special education teacher, and I am outraged that my students are expected to pass the state tests at the same rate as their non-disabled peers. Education is no longer about true learning. Passing the test is what matters, because our funding is threatened by the government that claims to be "reforming" education. How is taking money away from "failing" schools helping? I voted for Obama, and I am disheartened that he is continuing Bush's destructive education policies. That is not what he promised to do as a candidate. I believed he would bring change. I feel betrayed.

[Jamie Stahl Bowsher]

12:19 PM on 10/17/2010

I am terribly disappointed in President Obama. RTTT is no better that NCLB. We cannot expect every child to achieve at the same level within a limited time frame. Children are not machines. They are individuals with individual abilities and needs. I am special education teacher, and I am outraged that my students are expected to pass the state tests at the same rate as their non-disabled peers. Education is no longer about true learning. Passing the test is what matters, because our funding is threatened by the government that claims to be "reforming" education. How is taking money away from "failing" schools helping? I voted for Obama, and I am disheartened that he is continuing Bush's destructive education policies. That is not what he promised to do as a candidate. I believed he would bring change. I feel betrayed.

[Sean Kohen]

09:40 PM on 10/12/2010

Perhaps the President will be able to persuade the charter school to admit these children, who have already been rejected, to their school.

What about the 700+ children who are not so furtnate?

[respected]

08:50 PM on 10/12/2010

Michelle Rhee has resigned.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local.html?wpisrc=...

[Kimpeach]

09:28 PM on 10/12/2010

Rhee is going somewhere else and she will make a mess out of that district, too. The fact that she is leaving is another proof that she never cared for those kids.

[Michael Mouton]

10:28 PM on 10/13/2010

Let me guess you belong to a teacher's union?

[Shelia Washington]

03:24 PM on 10/12/2010

I have never heard so much complaining in my life about this President. What is it with you people? If you have a new plan pass it on, better yet run for office. I have never heard people complain so much about former President Bush and he got us in this mess with NCLB. He came up with the Education Overhaul but forgot to FUND IT. This is why I can not afford to have new desk in my classroom, this is why we(teachers) have not had a raise in two years, this is why I am still using outdated books and have to use my own funds to buy supplies to decorate my boards, yes boards I have 4. Where is the monies, Bush forgot to send it.

[Kimpeach]

05:42 PM on 10/12/2010

Wait a minute! You are upset with us for 'complaining' about President Obama by placing the blame on President Bush. What we are trying to let you know is Obama and Bush are on the same side of Education reforms. Yes, Bush got us here with NCLB but Obama is expanding it (after promising to repeal it) with his "Race to the Top".

Ms. Washington, you are a j0ke (and I can say that after you accused me of being one when you clearly are clueless on what is going on). All you have to do is research Obama's education advisor Duncan and see what he did to Chicago Public Schools. Most importantly, read about the lawsuit against Duncan when he fired mostly bl@ck female teachers such as yourself. You are about to be sold-out and you don't even know why. sad!

[Righteous Fury]

11:54 PM on 10/12/2010

I keep reading your posts and I'm falling in love with your mind.

[LAteacher]

12:46 AM on 10/17/2010

Fanned!

[just sayin]

01:22 PM on 10/12/2010

Of course Obama terminated funding in January for underprivilaged children in DC to attend charter schools. But, at least the kids got a photo-op out of it.

Way to go, Mr. President!

[young man]

01:05 AM on 10/13/2010

Didn't the teacher present when Prez. Obama signed a bill to save America teacher's job get a pink slip. It's almost a curse to be so close.

[Angie Cordeiro]

10:42 AM on 10/12/2010

Nice news in the morning!

Way to go ;-)

[cschools]

10:15 AM on 10/12/2010

Waiting For 'Superman' has caused a lot of buzz about education reform. To see how you can go past talking and make a real difference in kids' lives, visit http://wearethesuperheroes.com .

[Kimpeach]

09:53 AM on 10/12/2010

I have NO respect for President Obama in his education policies and it will be the deciding factor if I vote for him in 2011. When he ran against Clinton, he promised to repeal NCLB but is actually expanding it with his Race to the Top. Obama on education = Failure!

[Kimpeach]

09:54 AM on 10/12/2010

Sorry, 2012

[Shelia Washington]

03:18 PM on 10/12/2010

YOU ARE A JOKE AS YOUR PICTURE. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE WHAT THE PRESIDENT IS DOING SEND HIM A LETTER ON HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE. I am a teacher and what he has promised to do is the restructor the NCLB legislature. We are working hard so that these kids get the best education possible. Their parents are not able to do their jobs because they are working hard to put food on the table. We all need to help and stop casting stones. It is our responsibility not the government to take care of these students. Whether you vote for him or not is your business, volunteer in your nearest school for just 1 hour a week, it will make a difference.

[Kimpeach]

05:35 PM on 10/12/2010

I am a joke because I have no respect for Obama's education policies when his reforms consists of taking money out of public schools for charter schools? Are you serious? You have the nerve the call yourself a teacher? Wow! If you are really a teacher, I feel sorry for your students. First of all, you attacked me simply because I am not fawning over Obama. Scond, You made fun of my picture! Thirdly, You didn't ask any questions as to why I am disappointed in Obama. And, lastly you don't even know what is going on in Education. You really need to educate yourself more on education politics before you post again.

As for volunteering? I volunteer 20 hours a week at local urban schools even though I have no kids and I see the dismal environment that educators are in by being blamed while and having to work with a failed system like NCLB. Thank you for posting your picture!

[Eric Mann]

11:34 AM on 12/03/2010

Last-you, a teacher, misspelled "restructure."

[p456]

08:55 AM on 10/12/2010

LoL Mr President.

[p456]

08:47 AM on 10/12/2010

What is wrong with the parents of these children. How could they leave their children in a room with such a dangerous man. He will have them indoctrinated into his leftist army, and turn them into socialist drones committed to the destruction of America.

[Holly Rayl]

12:40 AM on 10/13/2010

Wow. People like this read Huffington Post? I hope this is sarcasm, but sadly, I doubt it is.

[young man]

01:11 AM on 10/13/2010

Relax. It's sarcasm like yours.

[LaBrayne35]

12:25 AM on 10/12/2010

All of Obama's big fixes have been big flops. His entire administaration is replete with unqualified political hacks who are just making everything WORSE. Face it...this man is in over his head.

[Ptama]

12:14 PM on 10/12/2010

Next you're going to say McCain Palin would have been better. Right?

[jaling]

06:06 PM on 10/11/2010

While I agree that "Waiting for Superman" is incomplete in discussing a very complex issue,
one cannot deny that President Obama is one of the most education focused Presidents ever.
Just looking at the faces of these young people reinforces to them that they can be anything they want to be. They just met the person who did.

[traceydouglas]

07:07 PM on 10/11/2010

Although I would agree that he is very education focused, his education policies are disastrous! His first mistake was choosing his basketball buddy, Arne Duncan, to be the Secretary of Education. Secondly, there is no evidence to back up his policies. He seems to think charter schools are the answer despite current research to the contrary. His policies are making Dubya look like education's best friend and that is absolutely frightening. I voted for this president but don't think I'll do it again. What a disappointment.

[Lake Saganaga]

04:43 AM on 10/12/2010

Actually Obama's "Race to the Bottom" is a re-branding of Dubya's "Most Children left behind" with minor tweaks. And O is viciously attacking teachers in a way Bush didn't dare to (even though he didn't have any love/respect lost for them).

[KKkey]

10:11 PM on 10/12/2010

Obama's education policies are exceptional...they are taking the focus off of schools making excuses and passing blame for failure onto poor neighborhoods, poor parenting, the ills of society and the like. He is putting the focus on excellent teaching and results. Those educators who do not excuse or contemplate failure as an option for our kids, find a way, MAKE a way for ALL students to SUCCEED at high levels. That is a fact...the kind that failing school/teacher apologists wish to to sweep under the rug while they claim victimhood. Sorry...those days are over, if you don't or can't get the job done then get out of the way for those who committed to doing what is best for our children. I couldn't be prouder or more pleased with the presidents efforts in this regard!

[Lake Saganaga]

04:49 AM on 10/12/2010

Hahahaha. You have a very good sense of humor. If Obama is the education focused prez, how come he is implementing right wing education policies to a degree never dreamt of by Dubya?

http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=content/send-clowns-3-stooges-gingrich-sharpton-duncan-hit-road-corporate-%E2%80%9Cschool-reform%E2%80%9D

Who loves Obama for taking on teachers unions? Jeb Bush, Gingrich, MN guv candidate -teabagger Tom Emmers, Vermont repug Guv, John kline(R-MN) who could become chair for house Edu committee if repugs win the house in Nov.

Who opposes Obama's ed deform? Civil rights groups, religious leaders (liberal groups), the public (the more they learn , the more they dislike).

[Mozu]

06:04 PM on 10/11/2010

What a horrible idea! A one-hour tour in the land of the privileged, then back to dangerous neighborhoods and woefully inadequate schools. That is precisely what happened to these kids when they sat staking their futures in the room where a good education was a random matter of holding the right lottery ticket. The majority of them lost out and were cast back to their resource-poor lives. Exactly what happened today in the Oval office. This is probably the most tone-deaf thing Obama has done!

[CAHertzfe]

06:16 PM on 10/11/2010

Why? Because he can tell and show them that no matter the odds stacked against you, you can still be anything you want to be? You rant is the most fake outrage I have read at this site.

[Mozu]

09:33 PM on 10/11/2010

I'm sorry I offended you, but clearly you haven't seen the movie. Not a good idea to comment on the story without seeing the move.

[Lake Saganaga]

04:45 AM on 10/12/2010

You could be partly right. I say partly because these minority kids might be the exception than norm. I would like to read about their background.

[bbbbmer]

05:46 PM on 10/11/2010

What a LOAD of TRIPE! Obama is the ultimate conservaDem -- no WONDER we're taking a bath in this year's elections -- he was born without a SPINE....

[madatnewsmedia]

08:06 PM on 10/11/2010

What a loser you are!!!!

[Righteous Fury]

11:57 PM on 10/12/2010

You're the loser, loser.

[Lake Saganaga]

04:50 AM on 10/12/2010

Yes, he is implementing right wing education deform, See the link in one of my earlier comments.