Philadelphia Ritz East Theater Feb. 6th, 6 PM

 STANDARDIZED Lies, Money & Civil Rights: How Testing Is Ruining Public Education: A Documentary

By Daniel Hornberger

January 28, 2014

Philadelphia, PA – Reading-based Rockfish Productions’ documentary STANDARDIZED will make its Philadelphia debut at 6PM on Thursday, February 6th at The Ritz East Theater (S. 2nd Street). STANDARDIZED opens with a brief synopsis of the history of standardized testing in public schools. While many point the finger at the failed NCLB program, the desire to create a national curriculum began many years before the presidency of George W. Bush. The film covers the general public's perception that these tests are accurate measurements, but when closely examined, they merely make a great deal of money for the test manufacturers (and education reformers) and provide practically no insight into a student's ability. The film also follows the money trail and sheds light on just how much money is generated by tests and their supporting materials. Strong testimonials by educational experts such as Dr. Mark Naison, Dr. Yong Zhao, Dr. Shaun Johnson, Dr. Timothy Slekar, and many others prove that the only people benefiting from these tests are those who are creating them. The concluding segment provides options to improve schools without testing.

The 74-minute documentary premiered in Reading on December 7, 2013 and has since been seen by audiences in Lancaster, PA; Rockville Centre, NY; Chicago, IL; Nampa, ID; and Orlando, Florida (to an audience of over 400).

The Philadelphia debut will feature an after-film panel discussion with the following educational experts:  Dr. Mark Naison, Fordham University; Jim Horn, author of The Mismeasure of Education; Helen Gym,co-founder of Parents United for Public Education; and the filmmakers.

About Rockfish Productions

Dan Hornberger is a 23-year high school English teacher. He earned a B.A. in Communications from Temple University (’84), then landed a job at the United States Tennis Association, where he produced educational videos. He earned his MFA in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University.

Jim Del Conte has produced and directed electronic media around the world including television broadcasts, web media, and interactive media. Jim is currently an instructor for the Communication Media Program at the Berks Career & Technology Center.  He graduated from Kutztown University with a degree in Electronic Media and acquired a Masters in Instructional Technology from Wilkes University.

Contact

To learn more about this film, please contact

Dan Hornberger

Rockfish Productions

610-406-1777 rockfishproductions@gmail.com www.standardizedthefilm.com