Stand and deliver movie questions English class
Why do the people at the testing company think that the students cheated? Who else thinks that the students cheated?
Because their mistakes the students made were too similar to their fellow classmates. The teachers (including the department chair) think the students may have cheated. Even their families consider the possibility.
Why does Mr. Escalante think the ETS is really investigating his students' scores?
He thinks their intelligence is being doubted because of the racial and economic status of his students.
What happens to Mr. Escalante? Why does this worry his students?
Mr. Escalante has a heart attack and ends up in the hospital. His students worry because there is not much time left before they are supposed to take the test and now their teacher is unavailable. The sub they have does not know enough to be helpful.
Besides teaching high school, what other work does Mr. Escalante do? Why does he take this job? What does his family think about it?
Mr. Escalante is also teaching English classes at night to adults. He takes the job for the money, but perhaps even more because he wants to help people learn English so they can live better more prosperous lives in America. His wife is not happy about it. She is angry that he helps everyone else, but his own son struggles.
At the beginning, the students don't even know how to do basic math, such as fractions. How does Mr. Escalante encourage them?
Mr. Escalante makes math fun. He uses apples to teach them fractions. He makes up funny (probably inappropriate) word problems that get the students' attention.
What was Mr. Escalante expected to teach at the school? Why does he end up teaching math instead?
Mr. Escalante was expected to teach Computer science. He ended up teaching math because the school didn't have enough money to buy the computers.
What things make it hard for the students to study outside of class? What responsibilities do they have and what distractions are there?
Some of them work, some of them take care of their siblings, and some even take care of their parents and/or grandparents. They have to turn out the lights early for people in their family members.
What are your first impressions of the neighborhood? What are your first impressions of Jamie Escalante?
The buildings have a lot of graffiti; things seem run down and dirty. Jamie seems awkward and maybe nerdy. (his hair). He seems like he doesn't belong at this particular school.
What kind of attitude do the other math teachers have about the students? What do they think of Mr. Escalante?
The other math teachers seem tired and worn out. They do not seem to think their students are capable of any better. They've tried, but they are giving up. They think Mr. Escalante is a dreamer or a rebel. They do not like him very much.
What was the final outcome of the retake? What did Mr. Escalante ask for?
They all passed! (again) Mr. Escalante asked for their original scores to be reinstated.
How do the students do on the Advanced Placement Test?
They all passed!!
What do they students have to do in order to get ready for the class? Why do you think Mr. Escalante makes his students sign a contract?
They have to agree to come in early, stay late, and even take classes over the summer. Mr. Escalante makes them sign a contract so that they know what he expects and that he will accept absolutely nothing less.
How long do the students have to study to retake? How do they prepare?
They only have one day. They go over to Mr. Escalante's house and study all night. He even cooks them dinner.
What are your impressions of Mr. Escalante's students? Do they like math? Do they like to study?
They seem uninterested in education. They are very caught up in social aspects of school and not really in to math. They might be behind in their skills and do not like to study.
Do all of the students retake the test? Why or why not?
Yes. They want to prove to everyone that they were not cheaters.
