Stand and Deliver is a 1988 American drama film based on the true story of high school math teacher Jaime Escalante. Edward James Olmos portrayed Jaime Escalante. In the early 1980’s Jaime Escalante quit his middle class job to pursue a High School teaching career. He accepted a job at Garfield High School as a computer science teacher. Upon reporting to the job site he discovers there are no computers due to budget cuts and instead is assigned to teach a basic math class.
Garfield High School is located in East Los Angeles, the majority of the students are Latinos from low level income families. The school is gang infested. Jaime’s class is initially out of control, with humor and patience he manages to earn the respect of his students and begins to teach. “Ganas” is all anyone needs to succeed. Shortly thereafter Garfield undergoes the Accreditation review process. Administration is wary due to the low test scores of the school. Many of the Administrators have given up on the teens. They cite low test scores are a result of populations socioeconomic circumstance. Jaime sees the potential of his kids and offers to introduce Calculus to his students. “Students will rise to the levels of expectations.” Grudgingly administration agrees. Jaime taught math class through summer breaks, zero periods and after school to prepare his students for the Advanced Placement Calculus test.
In 1982, 18 students took the test and passed.The students at Garfield High managed what many deemed impossible.The school in East Los Angeles had the highest passing rate in Southern California. However, the Educational Testing Services (ETS) questioned the results. An investigation was launched and the students were asked to retake the test. The dilemma, to retake or not to retake.That is the question.
Stand and Deliver is an inspirational movie. It is a movie directed and written by Latinos. I could argue that the movie depicted common stereotypes such as gangs and crime but it is a reality in the East Los Angeles neighborhood.The film stresses the importance of education to Chicano’s that are often judged by the color of their skin. As Escalante puts it”Math is the great equalizer.” According to Goldman “the representation of Chicano youths in Stand and Deliver challenges their image seen on dominant film and television. Perhaps more important, Stand and Deliver provides a more hopeful image of Chicano’s than many Chicano feature films of the eighties…” its a feel good movie for all but it touched me because I am a Chicana. Their success felt like my success. This film proves not all heroes wear capes.
“Ganas, all we need is Ganas” -Jaime Escalante
You are the true Dreamers, dreams accomplish wonderful things, you are the best”
-Jaime Escalante
Noriega, Chon A., and López, Ana M., eds. Ethnic Eye : Latino Media Arts. Minneapolis, MN, USA: University of Minnesota Press, 1996. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 12 May 2016.
I remember the first time, I watched Stand and Deliver. The movie to me was very motivating and inspirational. The math teacher reminded me of my second grate teacher because he wanted his students to learn regardless of where they came from. For many immigrants, it is always difficult because of the language barrier which makes it more difficult to learn the material.
I agree. with you on the point you make of the movie being inspirational and how they showed some Latinos stereotypes. One of the best parts of the movie is how they stress education for Chicanos and the people of East Los Angeles. This movie was based on a true story just like Spare parts were Chicanos worked hard to accomplish their dreams. Escalante did say it correct “Math is the great equalizer”
This is a pretty awesome movie. Garfield HS had issues however it was not as bad as any other school in the LA Unified. It s pretty sad to believe because these kids scored off the chart they were accused of cheating. The same attitude i see is in real Women Have Curves, Latinos are not meant to achieve in academics. There is always someone trying hold you back. It is a motivating story that was true. Jamie Escalente is a legend not because he made these kids live up to their potential, but he cared and did not give up on them when everyone else did.
I, too, remember the first time that I watched this movie. At the time I did not understand the importance of this film even though my mom had tried to explain it to me. As a high achieving and privileged student throughout my entire educational career I could not comprehend why passing was such an accomplishment for these students… I just thought it was normal. When I watched this film again a few years ago, my perspective had changed dramatically.
What Escalante did for these students was give them a chance, something that not many others had done. He raised the bar for them and gave them no other option but to succeed. While most teachers would have been happy with teaching the bare minimum, especially to a group of low class/low income students, Escalante pushed them to achieve a higher status than what was expected.
I think this especially important in terms of positive role models. At first the students, all of Mexican descent, are looked at as failures who will never amount to anything more than the area they live in. As the movie progresses, however, the viewer gets a small glimpse into their lives and the positive steps that they have made for a better future. It is truly an uplifting film, especially when you realize that this was based on a true story and that these were not just made up characters for entertainment.
I saw this movie a very long time ago however I don’t recall ever analyzing it on a deeper lever. Stand and Deliver is a great movie that highlights the contributions made to Latinos by a Latino. Not only does this movie stress the importance of following through on education but the simpler yet greater fact that sometimes it just takes one person who believes and is will to sacrifice themselves for the love of a fellow man when otherwise there might not be anyone who else sees any potential in them. What Jaime Escalante did was prove that hard work and motivation can change lives, especially the lives of those who society might cast aside because of their socioeconomic status.
I think the this could be a good I heard of it. I was wondering why he would have an all Latino group in this time? Actually why would gang members even be in schools? I thought gang members were only near schools to sale drugs. I thought that the positive aspect showed a lLatino man in the 80s for positive and trying to make a group of kids better. I think I need to watch this film I’m curious about a few more things
I remember seeing this film a long time ago, and I did think it was a real good movie but like others said I did not realize or appreciate its significance until years later and although it depicts Latinos as low income, gangsters with bad attitudes, it does show Latinos accomplishments and hard workers to get what they believe in. It sad that they thought they cheated but I bet it felt good to slap it back in their faces that they did learn the material. Great review.
This is one of those films that I’ve always heard about but never have seen. I will definitely be watching it. This class has given me a new respect and a new perspective on films with Latino casts, writers, directors, etc. I’ve notice things in films that I didn’t notice before I took this class and that’s a good thing. I also have become a huge fan of Edward James Olmos. Before this class I could only think of one movie I had seen him in. I am truly a fan of his now. He is very inspiring as an actor and this story sounds truly inspiring. A common theme I’ve noticed in many of these films is disadvantaged young people looking for guidance and direction. Looking for a role model. In this film, their teacher Jaime Escalante is that person. Just like the teacher in Real Women Have Curves, the coach in McFarland USA, the teacher in Spare Parts. These people have used their success in life to influence other young ones and I think that’s a good goal for all of us students to have is to influence others. Great job!
Hello,
This film reminds me of Freedom Writers. These forms of documentaries are inspiring to all those misfortune high school students who do not think they will manage to graduate. Many of those students due to the lack of resources, support, and money do not find a point in completing high school or furthering their education. That is why many do not find a point in graduating or becoming educated. Higher education is expensive, and not everyone can afford to take the time to complete the school work or pay for it. After this class, I became an Edward James Olmos. From what I have learned and his work, I think he wants us as Latinos to become educated and address and take action on issues within the Latino community.
Hello Margarita,
I had never watched the film, but I agree with you. They have must felt offended that the administration believed they cheated, but at the same time when administration faced the truth, the students and teacher felt really good and proud. Like in the film Real Women Have Curves, many parents allow their ignorance to get in the way and do not allow their children to dream and want to have a higher education. We cannot blame them either because that is what they were taught. My dad never went to school not because he was from a low-income family, but because his father did not find a point since he was teaching them to work in agriculture. Growing up when I expressed I wanted to further my education, my dad disagreed and did not support me. As parents, we need to do our homework and keep up with what is current and help our children. I was a rebel like Ana; Real Women Have Curves is one of my favorite films.
Have a great summer vacation.
What a great film. Jaime portrays a passionate teacher not only for the subject but for the well being of his students. with all the wisdom he has at his age he knows to get the younger kids motivated to learn or they can end up headed toward the wrong direction. There’s always one or two smart ones in each class. That’s funny the producers added that. He wants to see his students and his school excel. Also being Hispanic I think he shows an important attribute to teaching the immigrants English to survive in this country. But knowing when your doing to much vs enough is stressful on ones body. I see our professors running from class to class or school to school. Teaching takes a lot of energy and it take a special person to truly care about teaching. Great film.