Contemplative, Informational, Thorough
This was a thoroughly engaging series, with the play between opposing views placed evenly throughout the works. It was sad - sad because there don't seem to be any real clear answers on how to help fix the existing problems found in public schools. And if the piece had leaned too heavily in either camp (Pro or against standardized testing and No Child Left Behind) then it wouldn't have been nearly as effective as it was.
It was easy to care for these two students and the teacher because the listener was given far more than a surface glimpse of their characters. That, combined with pragmatic narration delivered with an insider's tone, audio that takes a listener there and unobtrusive editing made for a very compelling piece.
Katie Ball
ORLANDO, FL
August 7, 2008
Documentary series on the impact of NCLB and high stakes testing at one high school
