THE GRADUATES Thinking More Deeply
1. Which issues presented in the film feel most relevant to high
school students and graduates in your community? Are
the issues connected to one ethnic group or do they affect
youth of multiple cultural backgrounds and ethnicities in your
community? Give a brief description or explanation.
2. President Obama and other leaders have indicated that college
should be a goal for every student. Do you agree that everyone
should go to college? What alternatives should be available for
those who don’t go to college?
3. Many immigrant parents work long hours in order to support
themselves and their families. What resources can schools
and other community organizations provide to support those
parents and help their children engage in positive activities?
4. What measures does your community take in order to create
an atmosphere of inclusion? What measures do the schools
take?
5. What do you think are the most important characteristics for a
productive mentorship relationship?
6. How does school affect students’ self-worth and their
aspirations? Are some students affected more than others by
a lack of resources or the physical condition of the school?
Which students, and why?
7. What are some of the particular challenges that many young
Latinas face as they navigate the tensions that often exist
between their aspirations for academic success, gender roles,
and family obligations?
8. What is the responsibility of the school and of teachers to
students who are experiencing personal problems? How can
they collaborate with parents to support their success?
9. What are the roles of social-emotional learning and learning in
the arts in addressing the dropout crisis? Are they different for
different student populations?
10. If high school graduation rates are increasing — including the
rates for Latinos — is there any reason to be talking about a
“crisis” in education? Based on what you saw in the film, what
is there to be concerned about?
11. Does the media’s portrayal of Latinos or other
underrepresented groups play a role in crafting social
stereotypes? How so? How can the filmmaker’s race/ethnicity/
identity have an effect on these representations?
12. Many immigrants see America as the land of opportunity.
What educational opportunities do you think are missing for
the children of immigrants? Do you think it is important that all
children get a quality education? Why or why not?