The second presentation in the Discussions on Education series, a collaboration between Sierra Nevada College and Lake Tahoe School Parents Association, will be Jan. 13 at 6:30pm in rooms 139/141 of the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences on the SNC campus. The film, “Two Million Minutes”, takes a startling look at how the three superpowers of the 21st Century — China, India and the United States — are preparing their students for the future.

Based on the premise that regardless of nationality, as soon as a student completes the 8th grade, the child has approximately 2 million minutes until high school graduation. How this time is spent will affect their intellectual foundation, their preparation for college, and ultimately, their on-going economic prospects. The film follows two students, a boy and a girl, from each of these countries and describes the different emphasis students, parents, and teachers put on socialization, academic rigor, and discipline.

According to the film, less than 40 percent of U.S. students take a science course more rigorous than general biology, and a mere 18 percent take advanced classes in physics, chemistry or biology. Only 45 percent of U.S. students take math coursework beyond two years of algebra and one year of geometry. And 50 percent of all college freshmen require remedial coursework. These statistics give rise for concern when compared to the dramatic leaps India and China have made in educating their middle classes.

The SNC-LTS discussion series is exploring depictions of the American school system from provocative, at times opposing, perspectives with the intent to start and support an on-going dialogue among the audience. Facilitators from both schools lead post-film discussions designed to create positive dialogue about the challenges facing education reform in the U.S.

All events in the series are free and open to the public but please register your attendance at: http://2mmsierranevada.eventbrite.com. Seating is limited. For more information, contact Katrina Midgley at (775) 831.1314, ext. 7517, kmidgley@sierranevada.edu, or Mary Danahey at marydanahey@gmail.com.