Ron Clark speaks about the accuracy of the movie

This is from Ron Clark's site www.RonClark.info, from the Message Forum -- in the section of the message forum devoted to the movie:

Ron writes:


Wow, lots to comment on.

I looked through the IMDB boards and I wasn't bothered by anything
anyone had to say. They were just expressing their opinions and
questioning if the movie is a true account of my experiences. I think
encouraging them to read the books and watch the videos is a good idea.
Honestly, what you saw on TV is different from the truth, but about 90% is
accurate. In NYC my principal was a female, and in the movie they made
the character a male, Ernie Hudson. I also had an amazing assistant
principal at the school who was my rock, but she wasn't even featured.
Did I drive to NYC, stay at the YMCA and go looking for a school in
Harlem because I just felt that is what I needed to do? Yup. Was there a
fight going on when I walked in the school? Yes. Did I take the class that
the principal said was the worst she had seen in 30 years? Yes. Were
they on grade level? No. Did I rap my lessons? Yes. Did I learn to
double Dutch? Yes. Did I drink the milk? Yes. Was I a waiter? Yes. Did
I work at the restaurant? Yes. Did I get pheunomia? Yes. Did the
students end up scoring higher than the gifted classes at the school?
Yes. Did "Shameika" make a perfect score (not missing a single question)
on the NY end of grade test? Yes. (The previous year she wasn't on grade
level in math or reading.) See the Reader's Digest article:
http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=28045
Tamara explains that year in her own words.

The story is well documented and my students and parents in NYC have
been interviewed repeatedly. If someone questions it that's fine because
it's human nature. I encourage them to watch the videos and see it first-
hand.

Other questions from this message forum ...

A difference in the movie from real life is that I started with the rules from
day one, all 55. I didn't add them as I went. They did that for dramatic
purposes.

THANK YOU to those of you who said you are making donations to the
school. Bless you. We are really working hard to get the funding for all
of our students.

What can you do to help others and to make a difference? Follow your
passion and get involved! Volunteer to help with tutoring students,
breast cancer events, working with the homeless, whatever you choose!
Everyone needs to find a way to give of themselves; it's the meaning of
life.

-- Ron Clark