The University of Idaho Argonaut

“Flunked” is a new film about and inspired by men and women from different walks of life — parents, teachers, principals, business professionals — who are making a difference in students lives.
One woman featured in the film is University of Idaho doctoral candidate, Angie Dorman.
Premiering this week nationwide, the film’s purpose is to exhibit those schools and educators nationwide that are succeeding in the midst of a failing system.
In the film, Dorman takes a look at the state of education in America and the evidence of its failure.
“Angie Dorman is possibly one of the greatest student advocates ever,” said Lloyd Scott, director of UI’s New Student Services. “She does an absolutely phenomenal job helping to get high school students (particularly those from diverse backgrounds) ready for college.”

Dorman got involved with the filming with a call from the producers, who had gotten her number through a professional colleague.
“I think it had to do mainly with getting the 2006 U.S. Department of Education’s American Star of Teaching Award for Washington and also because of UI’s CAMP program and some of the success I’ve had with the Gates Scholarships,” Dorman said.
With a small rural population, Warden, Wash., where Dorman teaches high school history, might not sound like the place to find an innovator with new and exciting teaching methods.
“I believe you have to learn facts, you also have to get concepts,” Dorman said. “At the same time you have to learn critical thinking skills to be able to assess the veracity of information. I require kids to write in my history class. I believe every kid deserves an education that will prepare them for life in a democracy, the opportunity for college and lifelong learning.”
Dorman’s students take an important role in her teaching and also provided interviews for the film.

“Mrs. Dorman was a great teacher – she cared for us so much. When I become a teacher, I want to do the same,” said Janette Escamilla, Dorman’s former students and UI junior. “She never let the fear of losing her job interfere with her teaching, which allowed her lessons to go beyond the classroom. … If Dorman taught me anything, it was to never let your past or current circumstances affect the rest of your life. I intend to teach this same philosophy to others.”
The film also interviews Heidi Castillo Dominguez, another former student of Dorman.
“She help me pursue scholarships so that I could continue to educate myself after high school,” Dominguez said.
The film runs 97 minutes long and profiles the different teaching styles and projects that are working within the failing American education system.

Filmmakers visited many schools of various types: public, private, charter, home school and virtual academies.
Virtual academies are a new program within participating public school systems.
Since it is a part of the public school system, tuition is not charged and computer equipment is loaned out to enrolled students.

Students in the virtual academies complete most of their school work at home and are invited to some regular school activities to compensate for the reduced social interaction, as they are not going to a school building each day.
Filming was done over the summer for Dorman’s interviews just prior to the start of the new school year.
“I didn’t know it was that difficult. The camera was in one place, the interviewer next to him and then I actually had a couple of friends stand behind them so I could actually talk to a human being while the whole thing was going on,” Dorman said. “The experience was absolutely nerve wracking. I find it hard to sit still and not talk with my hands. Bottom line is when it was all over, I was exhausted.”