Following

Directions

A gifted child battles an ​unseeing education system ​after being wrongly labeled ​for special education.

Director’s Statement

We are often told that education is the great equalizer that provides a direct pathway to ​opportunity and success. However, there are complex biases that shape the educational ​experiences and outcomes of students, particularly those from marginalized ​communities. I wrote this film drawing from my personal experiences as both a parent ​and a teacher, to illuminate how bias affects special education placement, gifted ​program identification, and disciplinary actions. When I delved deeper into the research ​to get a clear picture of the scope of this problem, I was extremely disappointed in the ​data I found:


  • Black students are 54% less likely to be placed in gifted programs compared to their ​White peers, even when performing at the same academic level.



  • The disproportionate number of children of color placed in special education often ​results in sub par learning experiences, limiting opportunities for success.


Of course, the systemic biases in education are not merely a matter of statistics but has ​profound implications for the lives of students. Black boys who are misidentified are ​funneled into a system that stigmatizes them and limits their prospects, perpetuating a ​cycle of disadvantage. Conversely, those who could benefit from gifted programs but are ​overlooked miss out on the enrichment and advancement opportunities that could ​significantly alter their academic trajectories and career prospects.


It is your support of this project that will amplify the necessary discourse centering this ​issue.





Jarvis Matthews

J’Cora Davis

Latonya McClain

Lisa White

Stephen Szmed

Warren Robinson

Production Team

Derrick Thornton - Security

Cast

Santana

White

Jessica Murphy

Juliana Edge

Amira Kouidri

Emalie Noelani

Linda Lindsey

Michael

Stockwell

Leiland Mackenzie