Movie Explores Global Competition in Education / ‘Two Million Minutes’ Compares High School in India, China, U.S.
When Americans think of the high school experience, sports, proms and parties often spring to mind as much as academics. By contrast, high school students in India and China spend most of their high school years with tutors and textbooks, says film producer Bob Compton. And as a result, he says, they are more qualified to lead the next generation in the global economy.
Compton’s documentary, “Two Million Minutes,” examines this dichotomy. The title comes from the estimated amount of time during four years of high school, the time Compton says students have to prepare for college and careers.
The film will be screened Wednesday at the Collegiate School. Compton will hold a question-and-answer session after the film. The Savage Foundation and Strong American Schools brought the film to the Byrd Theatre earlier this year.
Compton, a Memphis, Tenn., businessman and entrepreneur, said he can hire workers from India and China who have a superior education to their American counterparts. Those countries, he said, emphasize science, mathematics and academic success in high school. As a result, they produce far more scientists, engineers and high-tech workers to fuel the global economy.
“I tell my daughters, ‘You’re going to be facing a level of competition your mother and I never had,’ ” he said.
“This is a strategic, serious issue that America faces. If we fail to educate our children to be economically competitive, they will have a lower standard of living than we do.”
Compton is spreading that message as a wake-up call to Americans. And he said he practices what he preaches at home. “It’s totally changed how I educate my daughters,” he said. Both used to be year- round competitive swimmers, spending hours in the pool each day.
“I explained to them that while they’re face-down in the pool, [students in other countries] are face-down in a chemistry book.”
Now, he said, his children take the most rigorous math and science courses, have tutors and attend science camps. “We talk about education and what’s going on in the world. And we watch a lot less TV.”
Compton brushes aside criticism that “Two Million Minutes” focuses on academic achievement rather than happiness and being well- rounded.
“We have to make a conscious effort to change this culture if we really love our children. We have to recognize and reward the kids who are going to help us stay in the game in the 21st century.”
“Two Million Minutes”
Free to the public
When: Wednesday
Where: Hershey Center for the Arts, Collegiate School on North Mooreland Road
Information: 741-9700 or www.2mminutes.com
Contact Lisa Crutchfield at (804) 649-6362 or lcrutchfield@timesdispatch.com.
Originally published by CRUTCHFIELD; Times-Dispatch Staff Writer.
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