tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719550.post6165273870763161620..comments2009-11-03T12:46:14.347-05:00Tom Hoffmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08577165613934129833noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7719550.post-76945202688036312882009-11-03T12:44:50.901-05:002009-11-03T12:44:50.901-05:00Very interesting post! Thought I might add a few details via numerous Wire article readings I've done. First, the teacher is given the name "Miss Duquette" which is used throughout Season 4 and yes, she's got a Master's in Psychology studying social alienation among juveniles -- not sure what level of "hands on" experience she may have. Secondly, not sure if you're aware, but The Wire's version of this social experiment via their "Project 8" Class was based on a true story and true event that actually happened. Supposedly, the real life middle school principal claims the "experiment" was a success! If you buy the Season 4 DVD, she's interviewed on the special features commentary section. She claimed it had the following effects: 1)restored peace & order to regular classes and 2)Gave the administrators working w/special needs students the chance to address their personal issues & also "pull them into school" in a different way -- i.e. instead of making them sit in classes 8 hrs or worrying about them skipping class 2 roam the halls, disrupt and/or sell drugs, she made several of them Hall Monitors, for example. Again, she claims this was a success in her case. Third, and I'll admit this is only my personal perspective, but I don't believe The Wire writers were taking dramatic liberty to suggest this brand of separation was a 100% be all, end all solution to ills that plague American public schools. From my experience, and yes I do have a college degree, there are lots of "academic types" in the real world who are learned, book smart, but also lack the practical perspective gained by real life experience in a given setting. That's not to suggest all academics lack this but only a suggestion to give weight to the idea that Miss Duquette and her associates as the show depicted weren't completely fantasy world characters if I'd understanding your criticism correctly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com