The True Story Behind the Inspirational Film Stand and Deliver

The Inspiring True Story Behind Stand and Deliver

The 1988 film Stand and Deliver tells the incredible true story of Jaime Escalante, a Bolivian immigrant who became a math teacher at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles in the 1970s and 1980s. Escalante transformed the lives of his low-income, predominantly Latino students by pushing them to excel in math against all odds. The film has become an inspirational classic and a touchstone of Chicano culture and cinema.

Jaime Escalante's Early Life and Career

Jaime Escalante was born in 1930 in La Paz, Bolivia. He became a teacher in Bolivia but felt compelled to immigrate to the United States in the 1960s due to political unrest. He worked various jobs in restaurants and factories before pursuing math teaching. Escalante started teaching at Garfield High School in 1974. At that time, the East LA school suffered from gang violence, overcrowding, and a lack of resources. Most students were from working-class Mexican American families.

Escalante's Teaching Methods and Philosophy

Escalante employed unorthodox teaching methods aimed at boosting his students' confidence and engagement with math. He used catchy songs and mnemonic devices to make calculus concepts stick. He inspired team spirit by comparing classwork to athletic training and competitions. Escalante cultivated personal relationships with students and pushed them to uphold high standards for themselves. He taught them the motto "ganas" - the desire to achieve beyond expectations.

Escalante rejected the low expectations many had of Garfield students. He ignited their interest in math by showing how it connected to their lives and futures. He encouraged them to take AP Calculus and prepared them rigorously for the exam. Escalante fostered a classroom culture of camaraderie, hard work, and perseverance against the odds.

Stand and Deliver and the AP Calculus Controversy

In 1982, 18 of Escalante's students passed the challenging AP Calculus exam. The Educational Testing Service found the scores suspicious given the school's demographics and expressed concerns about cheating. Escalante convinced the students to retake the test in 1983. That year, 14 students passed again, silencing the accusations. By 1987, 73 Garfield students passed the exam in a single year.

Escalante's students' AP Calculus success was almost unprecedented. He proved that students from disadvantaged backgrounds could thrive in a challenging math curriculum given the right teacher and encouragement. The events gained media attention and inspired the 1988 film Stand and Deliver, starring Edward James Olmos as Escalante.

Legacy and Impact of Stand and Deliver

Stand and Deliver became one of the most beloved films about the power of education against difficult circumstances. It has been hailed as an inspirational story for Latinos. The movie highlights the need for quality teachers, high standards, and robust public education funding and opportunities for diverse students.

Escalante continued teaching AP Calculus at Garfield until 1991. By then, the program had grown from 18 students to over 400. Escalante traveled as a public speaker about education before retiring to Bolivia in 2001. He passed away in 2010. His motivating life story demonstrates that, as the film tagline says, "In a world where excellence is often overlooked, a rigorous mathematics program is going on display in an inner-city school, where excellence is occurring, in spite of the expectations."

Three decades later, Stand and Deliver remains a classic underdog tale and testament to the power of high expectations, excellent teaching, and the potential of all students, regardless of background. Escalante left an indelible mark on math education and Chicano culture through his inspirational life and the influential film it inspired.

FAQs

Who was Jaime Escalante?

Jaime Escalante was a Bolivian math teacher who taught at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles in the 1970s and 1980s. He created a successful AP Calculus program and inspired his disadvantaged students to excel in math.

What school did Jaime Escalante teach at?

Escalante taught at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles. The school faced issues like gang violence, overcrowding, and lack of resources. Most students came from low-income Latino families.

How did Escalante transform his students' success in math?

Escalante used unorthodox methods to make calculus relatable. He boosted students' confidence, fostered a classroom culture of teamwork and perseverance, and challenged them to meet high standards. This enabled them to succeed in AP Calculus against the odds.

What controversy brought Escalante national attention?

In 1982, 18 of Escalante's Garfield students passed the challenging AP Calculus exam, bringing accusations of cheating. His students retook and passed the exam again in 1983, proving their competence.

What movie was made about Escalante's story?

The 1988 film Stand and Deliver, starring Edward James Olmos, depicts Escalante's success teaching AP Calculus at Garfield. It became an inspirational classic about the power of education to overcome circumstances.