Stand and Deliver (1988) - full transcript
Jaime Escalante is a mathematics teacher in a school in a Hispanic neighbourhood. Convinced that his students have potential, he adopts unconventional teaching methods help gang members and no-hopers pass the rigorous Advanced Placement exam in calculus.
$1.00.
$1.00.
Typewriters and transcripts.
Is there anything missing?
The key to the ladies room.
Now, exactly where was the
faecal material found?
Back there in the corner.
You'll know when you're near it.
Excuse me. This was mailed to me.
Just a minute, please.
Excuse me, sir.
If you don't have a telephone,
could you bring in a gas bill?
We need proof you
live in the district.
Excuse me. My name
is Jaime Escalante,
and I was supposed to
teach computer science.
We don't have computers.
Mr Escalante.
We were supposed to get
computers last year.
There's no funding
again this year.
I'm Raquel Ortega, maths
department chairman.
We'll be working together.
Nice to know you.
But you don't seem to understand.
I was supposed to teach computers.
Where were you last night?
What do you mean where was I?
What do you mean? I was waiting.
You the new teacher, man?
You the teacher?
Please find a seat.
Hey, teacher.
What are we going to do today?
Will everyone please
try to find a seat?
For those of you that
cannot find a seat,
please stand against the wall.
Let's make a circle and
discuss our feelings, huh?
One body to a desk.
Could we talk about sex?
If we discuss sex,
I have to give sex for homework.
Yay. Yay.
Stand back, everybody, please.
I could get you fired
for saying that.
Could you move back?
What did he say?
Do you understand English?
Sometimes.
All those who do not
understand English,
please, raise your hand.
Please move forward if
you don't speak English.
All who do not speak
English, go to the front.
This front row, please
stand up and move out.
I was the first one here.
I'll find you another seat, ok?
Please be careful.
This is maths 1-A.
I don't need no maths.
I got a solar calculator
with my dozen doughnuts.
The bus is exact
change. No big deal.
Quiet. Quiet.
False alarm.
Everyone back in the classroom.
It was a false alarm.
Everyone back in the class.
It was a premature bell.
Back in the class.
That was a premature bell.
Premature bell?
I thought we weren't
discussing sex in class.
Sit down. Stop talking.
They rigged the bell.
The little bastards.
Tricky.
She's looking good, Joe.
Jaime. When you coming aboard?
I get seasick in the rain.
You seen my boy?
Yeah, I saw him riding
around here somewhere.
I hear your company's
pushing whole hog into PCs.
I don't work there any more.
Jaime's teaching high school now.
Here's your thingy.
Why didn't you come to
me if you got laid off?
We're starting college
kids at $30,000.
I didn't get laid off.
I want to teach.
High school teacher. Well, good.
That's great.
This is your job.
I shouldn't have to tell you.
I know. That's why I
was hurrying home.
You're not even breathing hard,
you're hurrying home so fast.
Have a good night, Joe.
I want a burger.
Hold the fries,
onions, and pickles.
He looks like Julia Child, man.
What you got?
It's an apple.
How much?
What do you mean?
What you got?
Half.
Good.
Excuse me, my German accent.
What you got?
Missing 25%.
What?
It's missing 25%
that's right.
Missing 25%.
Is it true intelligent
people make better lovers?
What you got?
I got a core.
You owe me 100%.
And I'll see you in
the people's court.
Everyone, please open your
book, chapter 2, page 26.
Multiplication of fractions...
and percentages.
25%.
50%.
75%.
And 100%.
Who's calling the shots, ese?
You got a slip?
You got a slip?
Ok. You'll have to
stand in the back
until I can get another desk.
You sit right here. Ok?
Everyone, please read the
first paragraph for a second.
Where's your equipment?
Don't got any.
You got to come to
this class prepared.
I do the work in my head.
Oh.
You know the times tables?
I know the 1s,
the 2s...
the 3s...
Finger man. I heard about you.
Are you the Finger man?
I'm the Finger man, too.
You know what I can do?
I know how to multiply by 9.
9 X 3. 1, 2, 3.
What you got?
27.
6 X 9.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
What have you got?
54.
Yeah.
Want a hard one? How about 8 X 9?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
What have you got? 72.
Want to talk to you. Wait.
Do problems 1 through 20.
Page 26.
Can I have my book, Mr Escalante?
Don't bring it to class again.
You know what, ese?
Don't get excited.
Cut me a "D" like the other profs.
I'll read my funny books, count
the holes in the ceiling.
Kick back.
First thing, I'll teach
you some manners.
I wouldn't do that if I was you.
Might lose a finger and won't
be able to count to 10.
We've seen vatos (men)
like you before.
You'll be hurting soon.
Look sharp, huh?
I was so worried that the
kids would know more than me
that I'd wake up at 5 a.m.,
down my coffee, and
do maths tests.
I finally learned every chapter,
and then they change the book.
Maths you either love or hate.
You get some problems,
come see me after school.
Thanks, Jaime. See you later.
Leave the tickets at the door, ok?
Can I have my shades?
You're in love, huh?
Which one, huh? Let me know.
No. It's all right.
Come on, Johnny. Don't be afraid.
I'm not Johnny, man.
I know, Tito.
Tito Grande.
Come on.
Angel.
Angel, help us.
Stay out of it.
Angel.
Go get a teacher.
It's Frank Garcia.
When I say Garcia, you answer, ok?
Are your friends auditing?
I audited them to come with me.
I'm a cyclone from Bolivia.
One-man gang.
This is my domain.
Don't give me no gas.
I'll jump on your face,
tattoo your chromosomes.
This is basic maths, but basic
maths is too easy for you,
so I'm going to teach you
algebra because I'm the champ.
And if all you can do
is add and subtract,
you're prepared to do
one thing... pump gas.
Ripping off a gas station is
better than working in one.
Ok. I'm a tough guy. Tough
guys don't do maths.
Tough guys deep-fry
chicken for a living.
Want a wing or a leg, man?
Who ever heard of negative
and positive numbers?
Negative numbers are
like unemployment.
10 million people out of work.
That's a negative number.
We'll need lots of Kleenex.
There's going to be
lots of bloodshed.
Ever been to the beach?
Yeah.
You ever play with the sand?
Yeah.
Finger man.
Come on, finger man.
You ever dig a hole?
The sand that comes out of
the hole, that's a positive.
The hole is a negative.
That's it. Simple.
Anybody can do it.
2 + 2 =...
net head.
Ok. Answer it.
Come on. You know the answer.
2 + 2. Fill the hole.
If I had that on my hands,
I wouldn't raise it either.
Ok. A negative 2 + 2 =...
anybody can do it.
Fill the hole.
2 + 2 =...
come on. Just fill the hole.
You can do it.
You going to let these
donkey laugh at you?
2 + 2 =...
I'll break your neck
like a toothpick.
Ok.
Zero.
Zero. You're right.
Simple. That's it.
2 + 2 = 0.
He just filled the hole.
Did you know neither the
Greeks nor the Romans
were capable of using
the concept of zero?
It was your ancestors, the Mayas,
who first contemplated the zero...
the absence of value.
True story.
You donkey have maths
in your blood.
Hey, Kemo knows everything.
The man knows everything.
Kemo knows.
Ok. Ok.
Parentheses means multiply.
Every time you see
this, you multiply.
A negative X a
negative = a positive.
A negative X a
negative = a positive.
A negative X a
negative = a positive.
Say it.
A negative X a
negative = a positive.
A negative X a
negative = a positive.
A negative X a
negative = a positive.
I can't hear you.
A negative X a
negative = a positive.
A negative X a
negative = a positive.
A negative X a
negative = a positive.
Why?
Mrs Ortega, I don't want
to be the principal
of the first school in
Los Angeles history
to lose its accreditation.
I'm not saying this maths
department couldn't improve,
but if you want
higher test scores,
start by changing the economic
level of this community.
The purpose of this meeting is
to review the recommendations
for accreditation.
Any suggestions?
Anybody?
Yeah. I don't think I
should be teaching maths.
I was hired to be a
phys-Ed instructor.
As I said before, we
lack the resources
to implement the changes
the district demands.
Mr Sanzaki, you must
have a comment.
This may not be the
right time, but...
I'm sorry, but I won't be
coming back after Christmas.
I got a job with aerospace.
How much money you'll be making?
Look, we have the
remainder of the year
before we're put on probation.
Now, if we fail, we'll
lose our accreditation.
We fail?
You can't teach logarithms
to illiterates.
Kids come to us with barely
a seventh grade education.
There isn't a teacher here
who isn't doing
everything possible.
I'm not. I could teach more.
I'm sure Mr Escalante
has good intentions,
but he's only been
here a few months.
Students will rise to the level
of expectations, senor Molina.
What do you need, Mr Escalante?
Ganas.
That's all we need is ganas.
What's ganas?
We will begin each
class with a quiz.
Aw. Aw.
There will be...
there will be no free rides,
no excuses.
You already have 2
strikes against you.
There are some
people in this world
who assume that you
know less than you do
because of your name
and your complexion.
But maths is the great equaliser.
When you go for a job, the
person giving you that job
will not want to hear your
problems, and neither do I.
You'll work harder than
you've ever worked before.
And the only thing I
ask from you is ganas.
Desire. A haircut.
If you don't have ganas,
I will give it to you
because I am an expert.
Today is Monday.
Tomorrow's Wednesday.
Friday is payday...
the weekly test.
There will be no diagonal vision.
You have 10 minutes
to finish the quiz.
If you finish early,
work on that assignment.
No questions? Good.
Angel.
Let's go.
I was said to go here.
Nice knowing you.
Have a good day. Arrivederci.
You're in luck.
Take the seat.
Relax.
Take sominex, but don't
sleep in my class.
I take that as an insult.
Hello.
Hey, Kemo, man.
I want to talk to you
about the class.
You ain't got a seat.
Don't give me no gas.
That was a mistake.
I'll fly straight.
I got a little problem.
Yeah. Me.
No. Seriously, man. Books.
The homies can't see
me haul them around.
You wouldn't want anyone thinking
you're intelligent, huh?
Maybe I can have 2 books
and stash one at home?
I'll cut you a deal.
I'll give you 3 books.
One... take one home.
One for your class.
This one's broken.
One for your locker
so nobody sees you carrying them.
Easily understood? What do I get?
Protection, Kemo.
Protection. Understand?
I understand.
I understand.
The only reason I'm
still in Kemo's class
is because of that, man.
Just don't let her
know that you dig her.
That's the worst thing
you can do with a woman.
I'm pretty fed up with
this teacher we got.
Escalante's got a bug up his ass.
Dude's from South America,
some Nazi come out of hiding.
Don't you know what's happening?
Garfield's having problems
with accreditation.
Only the asshole teachers
will keep their jobs.
What if we all decide
not to take this test?
He can't fail the whole class.
Mutiny. Cool.
See you guys later.
Camejo thinks she's so hot just
because she dates gabachos.
If we don't do better today,
heads are going to roll.
I've never gotten anything
lower than a B-plus.
That's because you take
those Mickey mouse classes.
Always get an "A."
Here you got a chance
for a solid "D."
You got 10 minutes.
What's the matter with you?
I'm not taking the quiz.
You didn't turn in
your homework either.
The goat ate it.
Don't do your homework, don't
got a ticket to watch the show.
Give her the chair, man.
Chair. The chair.
The chair. The chair.
The chair. The chair.
Chair.
Chair.
Chair.
Chair.
Chair. Chair. Chair.
Chair. Chair. Chair.
All right. Yeah.
The chair.
Shut up.
Get back to your tests.
You got less than 9 minutes.
Now you're the show.
What's the matter with you?
You're a top student.
Come on.
3:00.
You'll have to do it anyway.
You will be bald
if you do not put your
shirt inside the pants.
Yes. Yes. Mira, huh?
My cute son, Juanito,
dinner's ready.
Come inside.
Hurry up.
Dad?
Come on all to bed.
Come on. Come on.
Come on. Come on.
Let's go. Let's go.
Come on. Come on.
Come on. Let's go.
Let's go. Let's go.
In the bed.
Juanito.
Hi, mum.
Kids go to bed?
Yeah.
Papa go to work?
Yeah.
Want me to fix you
something to eat?
My daughter, could you
please turn off that light?
Ha ha ha.
Ok, homeboy.
Teacher time, ese.
Oh, yeah.
Angel?
What?
Tell Kemo I said, "que hubo?" ese.
Oh, shit, man.
Hey.
Factoring. Ok.
Green light, red light.
Anybody? Ana?
Late. Late.
Late. Late.
Ok, ok, ok.
Ok, ok.
Go see the counsellor.
Come on, Kemo.
Take woodshop.
Make yourself a shoeshine box.
You'll need it.
Ok, Kemo. You're
the man, you know.
Why don't you put them in college
so dumb taco benders like me
can pick their vegetables for
them, collect their garbage,
clip their poodles' toenails.
I may be a sinner, but I'm
willing to pay for my sins.
One-shot deal. Go on, sit down.
See you at 3:00.
Go to hell.
I got more bad news, profs.
I know what I'll say
will trip you out.
Mr Escalante, I forgot my pencil.
He can have mine.
Today's my last day.
No, no, no, no.
Thank you.
Well, did you enjoy your taquitos?
Very well, sir. Very,
very well all...
except for one thing...
someone doesn't know how to add.
She should be going
back to school.
Anita, come here, please.
Wake up, my daughter.
Look, no more. You
screwed up again.
Papa, this is Mr Escalante,
my maths teacher.
Mr Delgado, how are you?
Pleasure.
A pleasure. My wife Fabiola.
Pleasure.
Can you sit with us?
Sure.
Anita, bring us a couple
of beers, please.
You should get another waitress.
Ana can be the first to
graduate from high school,
go to college.
Thank you for your concern.
Her mother works here.
Her sisters, her brothers.
This is a family business.
She's needed.
She could help the family
more by getting an education.
Ah, probably get pregnant,
wouldn't finish college.
Anita, go help your mum
in the kitchen, huh?
She talks about going
to medical school.
No.
I don't think so.
She should make her own choices.
Just a moment.
I am the father of Nina, not you.
She'll just get fat.
She'll waste her life
away in a restaurant.
She's top kid.
I started washing dishes
for a nickel an hour.
Now I own this place.
Did I waste my life?
I washed dishes, too,
when I came to America.
Good.
Put on an apron, give us a hand.
Your husband comes into
my restaurant, eats,
then he insults me.
Excuse my husband, Mr Delgado.
He just wants what's best for Ana.
She could go to
college, come back,
and teach you how
to run the place.
Professor...
I don't want your money, and
I don't need your business.
Skip it.
Tip.
He puts hot chillies in his
dip to sell extra beer.
Iora. Iora. Iora.
Kawasaki.
Kawasaki.
Yeow.
Dog, dog, dog, dog.
Dog, dog, dog, dog.
Ok...
everybody, look at the board.
Will someone please read for me
what's on the board? Anybody.
"Juan has 5 times as many
girlfriends as Pedro.
"Carlos has one girlfriend
less than Pedro.
"The total number of girlfriends
between them is 20.
"How many does each gigolo have?"
Late.
Late.
Late. Late. Late.
Ok, ok, ok.
Ok, ok, ok, ok.
How many girlfriends does
each gigolo have? Anybody.
You got it, Einstein?
You think you'll do it?
Juan is X. Carlos is Y.
Pedro is X + Y.
Is Pedro bisexual, or what?
I have a terrible
feeling about you.
Kemo, 5x = Juan's girlfriends?
You're good now, but you'll
end up barefoot, pregnant,
and in the kitchen.
Can you get negative girlfriends?
No, just negative boyfriends.
Please forgive them for
they know not what they do.
Carlos has X-5
girlfriends. Que no?
Que no? Is right. Que no.
The answer to my prayers.
May I go to the restroom, please?
In 10 minutes. Hold it.
Senor Maya. Hit it.
It's a trick problem, Mr Kemo.
You can't solve it unless you know
how many girlfriends
they have in common.
It's not that they're stupid,
it's just they don't
know anything.
I'm wrong?
X = Pedro's girlfriends,
5X = Juan's girlfriends.
X - 1 = Carlos' girlfriends.
X + 5X + X - 1 = 20.
So X = 3.
Good to see you.
This stuff don't make sense.
How does it work
in the real world?
Would it be possible
to get some gigolos
for a practical demonstration?
No, no, no, stop.
Just kidding, just kidding.
Wow.
Check it out.
Get out of here.
Please.
What kind of maths is this?
This particular one
that's up right now is calculus.
You'll get it in college.
My daughter uses this
program in her high school.
I want to teach
calculus next year.
Boy, that's a jump.
That's ridiculous.
They haven't had trig
or maths analysis.
They'll take them this summer.
Our best students
attend summer school?
From 7:00 to 12:00 every
day, including Saturdays.
Yep. That'll do it.
Our summer classrooms are
reserved for remedial courses.
If you want to change,
start from the top.
Mr Escalante, don't lecture us.
Our kids can't handle calculus.
We don't even have the books.
If they pass the
advanced placement test,
they get college credit.
There are teachers in this room
who'd have trouble passing
the advanced placement test.
You really think you
can make this fly?
I teach calculus or...
have a good day.
Well, if this man can
walk in here and...
dictate his own terms
over my objections...
I see no reason
for me to continue
as department chair.
Raquel, don't take
this personally.
I'm thinking about those kids.
If they try and don't succeed,
you'll shatter what little
self-confidence they have.
These aren't the types
that, bounce back.
Have a good day.
Thanks, man.
Kemo, it stinks like
last year in here.
Somebody give Claudia an orange.
Ok, ok, ok. Sit down.
You think I want to do this?
The Japanese pay me to do this.
They're tired of
making everything.
They want you guys to
pull your own weight
so they can take
vacations on mount Fuji.
Kemo, I thought this room
was supposed to be
air-conditioned, man.
You should think...
cool.
Think...
cool. Cool.
Think...
cool. Cool.
Cool. Cool.
Cool. Cool.
Cool.
Cool. Cool.
Out of the blue,
I get a letter saying I was fired
because of proposition 13.
I'm down to $936.
I invest 100 in resumes,
and I bought this suit.
I hit every insurance company.
My wife wants us to move
in with her parents.
2 weeks later I get another letter
telling me to report to work.
Like the suit?
Fabulous.
How about the colour?
Welcome back, baldy.
You ok?
Yeah, I'm ok.
You sure?
Yes. I said I was fine.
Oh.
We'll go step by
step, inch by inch.
Calculus wasn't made to be easy.
It already is.
Remember the good times
we had last summer?
Do you remember when things
were really jumping good?
The good times are
gone with the wind.
It's now the good, the
bad, and the ugly.
Come on. A contract?
You can't trust us by now?
For those of you
making the commitment,
you'll be preparing for the
advanced placement test.
Have one signed before tomorrow.
We come an hour early,
take your class twice,
and stay until 5:00?
Believe it or don't.
We got to come on Saturdays?
And no vacation?
Pass the A.P. exam,
get college credit.
Big deal.
We're seniors.
It's our year to slack off.
Johnny, will you make
it Saturday morning
playing in your band Friday night?
You love scaring us
into doing stuff, man,
but that gets old real fast.
Hey, Kemo.
You proud of me?
I'm the first dude here.
What's calculus?
Mum...
calculus is maths. Sir
Isaac Newton invented
it so he could figure
out planet orbits,
but he never bothered
to tell anybody
until this other scientist guy
told everybody he had
invented calculus.
But the stupid guy
got it all wrong,
and so Newton had to go public
and correct his mistakes.
Isn't that neat?
For a genius, Newton was an idiot.
Don't worry, mum.
If I invent something,
I'll be sure to get paid.
I hope this is not an excuse
to stay out all hours?
Trust me, mum. Sign it.
Boys don't like if
you're too smart.
Mum, I'm doing this so I
don't have to depend on
some dumb guy the rest of my life.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
You don't got it signed, you got
no ticket to watch the show.
Good morning. Good morning.
Mr Blue Eyes, thank very much.
Elizabeth, my Taylor.
Sophia, my Loren.
Get a haircut.
Thank you very much.
Get a new jacket. Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Clint, you forget your gun?
Unfold it.
Here.
Get out of the way. Here.
You didn't sign it.
I'm putting school on hold.
Sign it.
My uncle offered me a job
operating a fork lift.
Saturdays and Sundays
are time and a half.
2 years in the union,
I'll make more than you.
Kemo, I don't want
to let you down,
but the money will
buy a new trans am.
Nobody cruises through life.
Wouldn't you rather design
these than repair them?
You can't even do that.
They got fuel injection.
You'll strip my gears.
Ok, Kemo.
Don't panic, Johnny.
Just watch out for the other guy.
Right or left?
Where are we going?
Right or left?
Go right. Go right.
All you see is the turn.
You don't see the road ahead.
Ok, dude.
Open the gate. We'll be late.
What are you guys
doing here so early?
We're in Escalante's
class, remember?
Wake up. Drink some coffee, man.
One, you got the graph right here.
Two, this strip, the
most important part...
it's the radius of rotation.
That's it.
Anybody got any questions?
Anybody can do it as long as you
remember one basic element,
and that's the
element of surprise.
Stay awake because
you're waking up.
Bring toothpicks to
pinch open your eyes.
You understand what I mean?
I was swimming with dolphins,
whispering imaginary numbers,
looking for the fourth dimension.
Good. Go back to sleep.
That's very good.
Ok, any questions?
Yes? No? Nothing?
Ok.
Ok, you should have it by now.
Ok, what's the answer? Anybody?
Claudia?
Come on. We're going backwards.
You're fooling around too
much during the weekend.
This girl needs work
from the neck up.
We'll have to stay late again.
Aw. Come on.
You know there's pizza,
because they deliver.
We can get fried chicken,
hamburgers with cheese.
Jeez, we'll need donations.
You owe me money anyway.
You don't deserve the
grades you're getting.
Where are you going?
You late for another date?
She's got more boyfriends
than Elizabeth Taylor.
I don't appreciate you
using my personal life
to entertain this class.
Claudia.
Ok, ok.
Everything is falling
apart right now.
My boyfriend's freaking out...
my mum... school sucks.
I'm in that classroom
all day, Kemo.
Look at my clothes,
my hair... I can't even comb it.
I hate my life.
So, what's the problem?
Kemo.
Put it here in this line.
In this line.
No no no. Here.
Calmate, my son.
Wait for me here.
Yes.
Yes. Huh. I understand that, but
you'll have to bring him in.
I'm not a doctor.
There's no way.
Hey.
- I don't do diagnosis.
- Huh.
Look, I'm sorry. We'll have...
Mira.
Could you hold a moment?
Could we see the doctor
before next week?
Okay. Hold on. Insurance?
No.
Medical?
No, either.
How will you pay?
If we could pay,
we'd go to a regular hospital.
My grandmother could
catch pneumonia.
Ok. Take a seat. We'll
call your number.
Ma'am, you'll have
to bring him in.
There's no way we can
get around that.
I understand that. You'll
have to bring him in.
Try the short cut.
This is easy. Baby
stuff for boy scouts.
My mind don't work this way.
Tic-tac-toe.
Piece of cake upside-down.
Watch for the green light.
I've been with you guys 2 years.
Everybody knows I'm the dumbest.
I can't handle calculus.
They have a better chance of
making the A.P. test without me.
Don't laugh.
How could we laugh? You're
breaking our hearts.
Don't do this, Kemo.
How noble... to sacrifice himself.
Do you have the ganas?
Yes.
Should I do it for you?
Yes.
Say no.
I'm going to have to get tough.
We'll work right through
Christmas break.
The counsellor was just
here looking for you.
Something about some
cosmetology classes.
He says there's 3
different levels...
one for boys, one for girls,
and one for... go find out.
Please, listen, man. It's cool.
My grandmother...
Clock out.
Game's over. You lose.
You never listen to nobody, man.
You think you are smart.
Goodbye.
Why don't you send me some
postcards or call me?
We love you.
Does Kemo know this, bastard, huh?
That guy's got a bigger
problem than you.
Tic...
tac...
toe... simple.
She's a little sloppy
with her homework.
Dad, get off the
phone so we can eat.
No. She's a top student.
Your father works 60 hours a week,
then he volunteers to teach
night school for free.
Merry Christmas to you, too.
He's visiting junior high
schools in his spare time.
Corn and potatoes?
What happened to the lomo
montado, pique a lo macho?
Jaime, I don't want you
to teach this holiday.
No.
No teaching...
papa...
there's a problem here
I don't understand.
See what I mean?
His own son has
problems with maths.
No books at the table.
Go wash your hands.
I'll get it.
You see what I mean?
Oh, ma'am, how are you?
Very well.
Senor Escalante, Angelito
has to go back to school.
He can not lose his place.
Do not worry, ma'am.
Come in, please.
Pleasure.
My wife.
I've seen you do lots
of underhanded tricks,
but bringing your
grandma to my house
at Christmas time? Come on.
I need calculus to take
me to a good career.
Something smells good.
Icaray.
♪ On the first day of Christmas ♪
♪ A cholo came to me ♪
This is what's given.
We're looking for the area
bounded by the curve.
What are the limits? Anybody.
0 to PI over 2.
Wrong. Lupe.
0 to PI over 2?
What's wrong with you?
This is review.
I checked my work twice.
Check it again.
Mine's the same as chubby.
Don't call me chubby, asshole.
It's 0 to PI over 2.
I got the same thing.
You should know this. No way.
What's wrong with you?
This is review.
You're acting like a
blind man in a dark room
looking for a black
cat that isn't there.
What's wrong with you?
I don't believe it.
You're giving me a
shot from the back.
Kemo finally blew a head gasket.
It's a pen.
It's a pen.
It's a pencil.
It's a pencil.
It's a chair.
It's a chair.
It's a light.
It's a light.
It's a window.
It's a window.
It's in the room on the table.
It's 10:00.
It's in the room on the table.
It's 10:00.
One moment, please.
One moment, please.
Oh.
Page 456, please.
Come on, you guys. 456.
Will you shut up
and sit down, man?
We told him to take it easy.
It's our fault. We sit back
and watch him burn in.
It's burn out.
He brought it on himself.
He asked for it.
How can you say that?
You're a wanna-be
cholo asshole, man.
Oh, that's disgusting.
You want me?
I'll kick your ass.
All right, break it up.
Pancho.
Just break it up.
Now, just settle down.
Later.
Settle down, Angel.
Now Mr Escalante is ok.
He suffered a mild heart attack,
and he'll be under observation
for the time being.
Mr Schloss is your substitute.
Now, out of respect
to Mr Escalante,
please give him your
undivided attention.
Now I don't want any more
trouble from this room.
All right, Pancho,
you come with me.
Angel, let's go.
Tito, take your seat.
Mr Molina has informed me
you have your A.P.
calculus exam in 2 weeks.
I'll be honest with you.
I've never taught calculus before.
I'm really a music teacher.
You mad at me, mummy?
If I thought it would
help, I would be angry.
Dad...
the doctor says no stress.
No job-related activity
for at least a month.
I want another doctor.
Jaime, I have to go.
I left Fernando with a neighbour.
I'll stay with dad.
Go with your mother.
Don't forget to take
out the trash, ok?
Ok, dad.
Come on, mum.
What time do you get out of work?
Hi.
Hey. Mr Escalante.
I'm still alive.
I'm a hard-dying type of guy.
Shouldn't you be in the hospital?
I should be with you.
Bulldogs.
Dog, dog, dog, dog.
Thank you very much
for baby-sitting.
Have a good day.
How are you?
Hey, you should be
taking it easy, man.
No, I should be
here with you guys.
I mean, you already forgot
to stand up. Everybody.
No, against the wall
like a snake. Hurry.
We've been practising
for this all year.
You're the best.
You guys are the best.
This is a piece of cake.
Upside-down.
And...
step by step.
All right. You got it now.
Open your eyes.
Y = In...
quantity x - 1. What's the domain?
X is greater than -1.
No. To the end of the line.
I'm gone 2 days, and
you forget already.
What's the domain?
All real numbers greater
than 1. X is greater than 1.
I told you you could do it.
Ok.
Be sure each mark is black
and completely fills
the answer space.
If you make an error, you may
save time by crossing it out,
rather than trying to erase it.
It's not expected that
everyone will answer
all the multiple-choice questions.
When you're told to
begin, open your booklet,
tear out the green
insert, and start work.
You may begin now.
Let's go.
Come on. Get in.
Get in.
Oh, no, it's too cold.
Anita. Come on, Anita.
Angel.
I like to keep my pants
dry, you know, man?
Angel. Come on in.
Come on.
The water's great.
Come on.
Ok, fine.
Fine.
This is so stupid, man.
I'm coming.
Angel.
Come on.
Come on.
Ok, grandpa.
We, being teachers,
know the advanced placement
tests are very difficult,
especially in mathematics.
Less than 2% of all high
school seniors nationwide
even attempt the advanced
placement calculus test.
You've been drinking.
I am proud to announce
that no other high school
in southern California
has more students passing
than Garfield high school.
No. He just walks like that.
18 students took the test.
18 passed.
Many...
We have an announcement to make.
It's all right.
Ok.
We, the A.P. calculus class,
would like to present this
plaque to our teacher...
Jaime A. Escalante.
Come on up.
Yes?
This is Guadalupe Escobar.
What is this, some kind of joke?
Wait, wait a minute. Who is this?
For real?
What?
You're crazy, man.
"It's standard procedure
to grade the test
"with the identity of
the students concealed.
"Only after the
irregularities were found
"was it determined the students
were all from Garfield."
You all received the same letter?
Yeah. Yeah.
"Based upon the unusual
agreement of incorrect answers,
"E.T.S. has no alternative
but to question the scores
"of students with such
unusual agreement."
What's it mean in English?
We copied each other
because we all had the
same wrong answers.
We're too stupid to
cheat correctly.
Why don't we just sue?
"The board doubts the
grades are valid for you
"because of these
unusual circumstances."
These people are human.
They can make mistakes, too.
Kemo, these people are
calling us cheaters.
All right.
This is where we keep all
confidential material,
S.A.T. and A.P. tests included.
I assure you, only my secretary
and I know the combination.
Mr Molina, this controversy
is officially between
the Educational Testing
Service and the students.
It does not reflect upon your
school or its administration.
I understand.
We'd like to resolve this with
the least publicity possible.
I'd appreciate that.
All right?
Yep.
Do you think they got
the test ahead of time?
Well, Claudia was having
emotional problems.
Pancho was way behind.
Do you really think
anyone cheated?
No, but my father does.
Damn shit.
Look at this shit.
If I'd have taken that
job with my uncle,
I could have had a
brand-new car by now.
It's ok. You can fix it.
Come on, ok? Just relax.
Hey, I didn't know
you two were like a thing now.
Just something for the summer.
Come on, Lupe.
You're such an asshole, Pancho.
Lupe, wait.
Shit.
Lots of stars up there,
homey. Not too polluted.
Stars aren't really there, ese.
No, what you're looking at
is where they used to be, man.
It takes the light
a thousand years to
reach the earth.
For all we know, they
burned out long ago, man.
God pulled the plug on us.
He didn't tell nobody.
Those stars are out there.
I don't care what you say.
Hey, homeboy.
Ialli, I take you, my daughter.
Come on, throw me a kiss, baby.
Hey.
Hey, throw me a kiss.
That's right. That's right.
That's all you know.
What's the matter, you
can't afford a knife?
Use a pencil, go to jail.
Can I have this back now?
You got a tough mouth. You
better watch yourself.
Nice to meet you, officer.
Let's go, Jack.
That was real smart, ese.
Get away from my ride.
Get up.
Come on, get up.
Where are you going?
Come back.
Angel.
Well...
does anyone have anything to say?
Ana...
I've known your family for years.
Tell us the truth.
Nothing happened.
Don't lie to me.
Nothing happened.
Just leave her alone.
She didn't do anything wrong.
Then tell us who did.
We're not cops.
We're not here to put
anybody behind bars.
If you cheated, let us
know so you can go home
and enjoy the rest of your summer.
Can I.
I come from this neighbourhood.
I come from this neighbourhood,
and I know that
sometimes we're tempted
to take short cuts.
Just tell me the
truth. What happened?
Tell me the truth.
Ok.
We're busted. Why don't
we just admit it?
How'd you do it?
I got the test ahead of time
and passed it out to everyone.
How did you get it?
The postman.
I strangled him.
His body's decomposing
in my locker.
There's no sense in continuing
if they won't cooperate.
Do you know how
this got in my box?
A letter of resignation.
Anonymous.
My guess is it could
have something to do
with the mess this school is in.
You think they cheated?
Mr Escalante, you put these kids
under an awful lot of pressure.
They would have gone to any
lengths to please you.
You didn't answer my question.
All right.
Well...
every night when I go to bed
I watch the television news.
I see lots of people go on trial.
They deny everything,
or their lawyers say they
were insane at the time.
A lot of them get off.
But I believe that most people
who get caught today are guilty.
Don't you?
Yep.
I know what you mean.
Have you seen my car?
No.
Do you need a ride home?
No, thank you.
Kemo, let me take you home.
Jaime?
Jaime...
want to talk about it?
I may have made a mistake
trying to teach them calculus.
Regardless of whether they
passed that test or not, Jaime,
they learned.
Yeah, they learned if you try
real hard, nothing changes.
Quit.
If that's all you
have left to teach...
quit.
You know, what kills me
is that they lost the
confidence in the system
that they're now finally
qualified to be a part of.
I don't know why I'm
losing sleep over this.
I don't need it.
I could make twice the
money in less hours
and have people treat
me with respect.
Respect?
Jaime, those kids love you.
Hey, Kemo.
Check out your ride. We
fixed it up for you.
Going downtown, man, to take
action on those E.T.S. boys.
Hey, dad, check out your new car.
We got to talk about the payments.
Golly.
Gentlemen?
My name is Jaime Escalante.
I'm the A.P. calculus teacher
from Garfield high school.
Yes. Yes.
I'm Dr Pearson.
Hello, doctor.
This is Dr Ramirez.
How are you? A pleasure.
It's a pleasure, sir.
I feel I have the right to know
why you think my students cheated.
Mr Escalante,
I'm sorry you drove out here,
but we're not at liberty
to discuss the
controversy with you.
I'd just like to see
the test, that's all.
Mr Escalante,
I understand what you're
going through here.
But I repeat,
the problem's between the
E.T.S. and the students.
I'd just like to see
what mistakes were made.
I'm their teacher. I know my kids.
Mr Escalante, have a seat.
No. No, thank you.
There were some unorthodox,
even illogical computations
for students of this calibre.
Mistakes in simple maths.
Maybe they made the same mistakes
because they had the
same instruction.
I taught them step by
step, all the same way.
Look. Your students
averaged fewer than 4 wrong
on the multiple choice,
where other schools
average what...
14 to 18 incorrect answers?
And most of your kids
finished with time to spare.
They should be rewarded,
not punished.
Mr Escalante, the
educational testing service
does not act capriciously.
Every major university
in the United States
subscribes to our service.
I would like to see
proof of wrongdoing.
I would like to see the tests.
Let me reiterate.
There's no proof of wrongdoing,
only a suspicion of cheating.
One is innocent until
proven guilty,
not the other way around.
If you're so confident of
your student's abilities,
encourage them to retest.
Why should I?
If they don't, everyone
will assume they cheated.
Everyone will assume
they cheated if they do.
I want to see the tests, please.
Mr Escalante, we're
psychometricians,
thorough to the point of boring.
We're not out to get anybody here.
Hold on. If this was
2 students cheating,
that's one thing.
But by making a
blanket accusation,
you're saying there
was a conspiracy.
Every conspiracy has a leader.
Who better to lead
it than the teacher?
Nobody's accusing you of anything.
Not only me.
The school, parents,
the entire community.
Scores this high
would be questioned
regardless of the school.
If this was Beverly
Hills high school,
you two wouldn't be investigating.
Mr Escalante, I hope
you're not insinuating
that we haven't earned
our position here,
because no one's given
me a damn thing.
You're letting your emotions
get the best of you.
If no one's given
you a damn thing,
you should not be taking
away from my kids.
The identity of the
students were concealed
until it was determined that
irregularities existed.
Those scores are only
being questioned
because my kids have
Spanish surnames
and come from barrio schools.
You know that.
We've been patiently
explaining our position
and listening to your complaints.
Now our conversation is over.
There's something going on here
that nobody's talking about,
and you know what it is.
No one has the right to
accuse me of racism.
No one has the right to
accuse me of racism.
I know well how to
spell discrimination.
I thought this was
over a long time ago.
Are you doing this to my kids?
There are 2 kinds of racism...
singling out members
of a minority group
and not singling out members
of a minority group.
My kids could teach
you a thing or two.
I'm calling security if you
can't control yourself.
Go ahead.
You didn't show me the test.
You didn't prove anything.
They didn't do anything.
I'll prove you guys wrong.
I hope you do, because this
is not between you and me.
Maybe not, but if I catch
you on the street,
I'll kick the shit out of you.
Yeah, this is Guadalupe Escobar.
I've decided to take
the test again.
You're kidding.
Kemo, we only have
one day to study.
Ok. 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Thank you.
Why didn't you let
me talk to them?
Call collect. Stick
them with a big bill.
I thought I'd seen this
place for the last time.
We'll have to review the
entire course in one shot.
You mean in one day?
Can't do it in less.
It'll be the same test?
It'll be harder.
Don't count on that.
Just go step by step
and play defence.
Don't bring anything.
No pencils, no erasers, nothing.
Don't wear clothes
with too many pockets.
Don't let your eyes wander.
No spacing out.
Don't give them any opportunity
to call you cheaters.
You are the true dreamers,
and dreams accomplish
wonderful things.
You're the best.
Tomorrow you'll prove
that you're the champs.
Start with chapter one.
Kemo, what you making over there?
You like brains?
Good. I was afraid you guys
wouldn't appreciate it.
This food lasts for 24 hours.
You're afraid we'll screw up
royally tomorrow, aren't you?
Tomorrow's just
another day, honey.
I'm afraid you'll screw up
the rest of your lives.
I'm fried.
I don't care if I don't pass.
Sit down. We got work to do.
I'm going home.
Sit down.
I'm tired, and I'm going home.
Ok?
You know what you're doing?
I'm going home. That's
what I'm doing.
This stuff's ready.
Who'd like some?
Kemo, let's order out, man.
I was just kidding.
Hey, I had to see you.
You can't expect me
to be your girlfriend
at your convenience.
I'm an asshole.
Sorry.
I'm sure you're all familiar
with the procedure.
You have 90 minutes to complete
the multiple-choice section.
Do not fill in
answers by guessing.
Wrong answers will be
counted against you.
You may begin part one...
now.
Ok. Pencils down.
You have 90 minutes to complete
the free response section.
Don't spend too much time
on any particular answer.
Credit will be issued
for partial solutions.
Open the booklet.
Begin part 2. Good luck.
Finished?
I cannot finish the test.
I have an appointment at USC.
It's related to my scholarship.
Can't that wait?
No, it can't.
Ok. Did you fill out your ID card?
Yes. Thank you.
Ok...
pencils down.
Mr Escalante?
Mr Escalante,
did you hear the news?
We got the computers.
Yep. That'll do it.
Jaime, they want to go
over the test again,
make sure there's no
misunderstandings.
Estelle, I'm going to
the faculty meeting.
Thank you.
Misunderstanding again?
Can you call Dr Ramirez?
He'll help us.
He's going to tell me
the same thing, Jaime.
All right. I'll call him.
Icaray.
This is Mr Molina calling again.
Yes, I did.
Oh, you do?
Yes. Yes, I'd like that very much.
One moment.
Yes, yes. I'm aware
of the scoring.
3 is a passing grade.
5 is a perfect grade.
Yes. I'm ready. Go ahead.
Diaz, Maria. 4.
Sinfuentes, Mark. 5.
Navarra, Jose. 4.
I want the original
scores reinstated.
Santos, Daniel. 4.
Escobar, Guadalupe. 5.
Camejo, Claudia. 4.
Ana Delgado. 4.
Garcia, Francisco. 3.
Fuentes, Rafaela. 4.
Javier Perales. 5.
Guitaro, Armando. 4.
Angel Guzman...
5.
Estelle, hold the meeting.
We're coming with great news.
Pernajas, Juliana. 5.
Hernandez, Alejandro. 4.
Castro, Monica. 4.
♪ Some people hate and
expect perfection ♪
♪ Some people lie and
demand the truth ♪
♪ Gotta ask myself if
it's all deception ♪
♪ Is this a natural thing ♪
♪ That we all just do ♪
♪ We take such
pleasure from pain ♪
♪ I'm just tired of
playing that game ♪
♪ Some things you've
got to change ♪
♪ You've got to
stand and deliver ♪
♪ With your body and soul ♪
♪ Stand and deliver ♪
♪ Just give me something to hold ♪
♪ Stand and deliver ♪
♪ If the truth can be told ♪
♪ We can make it together ♪
♪ If you stand ♪
♪ Stand and deliver ♪
♪ Sometimes my mind drives
me to distraction ♪
♪ I wanna shut all the windows ♪
♪ And lock the doors ♪
♪ Every time I get a little
bit of satisfaction ♪
♪ I see our world come
tumbling to the floor ♪
♪ I know in this life ♪
♪ You gotta stand up
for what feels right ♪
♪ Each day and every night ♪
♪ You've got to
stand and deliver ♪
♪ With your body and soul ♪
♪ Stand and deliver ♪
♪ Just give me something to hold ♪
♪ Stand and deliver ♪
♪ If the truth can be told ♪
♪ We can make it together ♪
♪ If we stand and deliver ♪
♪ Stand and deliver ♪
♪ I know in this life ♪
♪ You gotta stand up
for what feels right ♪
♪ Each day and every night ♪
♪ You've got to
stand and deliver ♪
♪ With your body and soul ♪
♪ Stand and deliver ♪
♪ Just give me something to hold ♪
♪ Stand and deliver ♪
♪ So the truth can be told ♪
♪ We can make it together ♪
♪ If we stand ♪
♪ If we stand and deliver ♪
♪ Stand and deliver ♪
♪ If the truth can be told ♪
♪ We can make it together ♪
$1.00.
Typewriters and transcripts.
Is there anything missing?
The key to the ladies room.
Now, exactly where was the
faecal material found?
Back there in the corner.
You'll know when you're near it.
Excuse me. This was mailed to me.
Just a minute, please.
Excuse me, sir.
If you don't have a telephone,
could you bring in a gas bill?
We need proof you
live in the district.
Excuse me. My name
is Jaime Escalante,
and I was supposed to
teach computer science.
We don't have computers.
Mr Escalante.
We were supposed to get
computers last year.
There's no funding
again this year.
I'm Raquel Ortega, maths
department chairman.
We'll be working together.
Nice to know you.
But you don't seem to understand.
I was supposed to teach computers.
Where were you last night?
What do you mean where was I?
What do you mean? I was waiting.
You the new teacher, man?
You the teacher?
Please find a seat.
Hey, teacher.
What are we going to do today?
Will everyone please
try to find a seat?
For those of you that
cannot find a seat,
please stand against the wall.
Let's make a circle and
discuss our feelings, huh?
One body to a desk.
Could we talk about sex?
If we discuss sex,
I have to give sex for homework.
Yay. Yay.
Stand back, everybody, please.
I could get you fired
for saying that.
Could you move back?
What did he say?
Do you understand English?
Sometimes.
All those who do not
understand English,
please, raise your hand.
Please move forward if
you don't speak English.
All who do not speak
English, go to the front.
This front row, please
stand up and move out.
I was the first one here.
I'll find you another seat, ok?
Please be careful.
This is maths 1-A.
I don't need no maths.
I got a solar calculator
with my dozen doughnuts.
The bus is exact
change. No big deal.
Quiet. Quiet.
False alarm.
Everyone back in the classroom.
It was a false alarm.
Everyone back in the class.
It was a premature bell.
Back in the class.
That was a premature bell.
Premature bell?
I thought we weren't
discussing sex in class.
Sit down. Stop talking.
They rigged the bell.
The little bastards.
Tricky.
She's looking good, Joe.
Jaime. When you coming aboard?
I get seasick in the rain.
You seen my boy?
Yeah, I saw him riding
around here somewhere.
I hear your company's
pushing whole hog into PCs.
I don't work there any more.
Jaime's teaching high school now.
Here's your thingy.
Why didn't you come to
me if you got laid off?
We're starting college
kids at $30,000.
I didn't get laid off.
I want to teach.
High school teacher. Well, good.
That's great.
This is your job.
I shouldn't have to tell you.
I know. That's why I
was hurrying home.
You're not even breathing hard,
you're hurrying home so fast.
Have a good night, Joe.
I want a burger.
Hold the fries,
onions, and pickles.
He looks like Julia Child, man.
What you got?
It's an apple.
How much?
What do you mean?
What you got?
Half.
Good.
Excuse me, my German accent.
What you got?
Missing 25%.
What?
It's missing 25%
that's right.
Missing 25%.
Is it true intelligent
people make better lovers?
What you got?
I got a core.
You owe me 100%.
And I'll see you in
the people's court.
Everyone, please open your
book, chapter 2, page 26.
Multiplication of fractions...
and percentages.
25%.
50%.
75%.
And 100%.
Who's calling the shots, ese?
You got a slip?
You got a slip?
Ok. You'll have to
stand in the back
until I can get another desk.
You sit right here. Ok?
Everyone, please read the
first paragraph for a second.
Where's your equipment?
Don't got any.
You got to come to
this class prepared.
I do the work in my head.
Oh.
You know the times tables?
I know the 1s,
the 2s...
the 3s...
Finger man. I heard about you.
Are you the Finger man?
I'm the Finger man, too.
You know what I can do?
I know how to multiply by 9.
9 X 3. 1, 2, 3.
What you got?
27.
6 X 9.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
What have you got?
54.
Yeah.
Want a hard one? How about 8 X 9?
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
What have you got? 72.
Want to talk to you. Wait.
Do problems 1 through 20.
Page 26.
Can I have my book, Mr Escalante?
Don't bring it to class again.
You know what, ese?
Don't get excited.
Cut me a "D" like the other profs.
I'll read my funny books, count
the holes in the ceiling.
Kick back.
First thing, I'll teach
you some manners.
I wouldn't do that if I was you.
Might lose a finger and won't
be able to count to 10.
We've seen vatos (men)
like you before.
You'll be hurting soon.
Look sharp, huh?
I was so worried that the
kids would know more than me
that I'd wake up at 5 a.m.,
down my coffee, and
do maths tests.
I finally learned every chapter,
and then they change the book.
Maths you either love or hate.
You get some problems,
come see me after school.
Thanks, Jaime. See you later.
Leave the tickets at the door, ok?
Can I have my shades?
You're in love, huh?
Which one, huh? Let me know.
No. It's all right.
Come on, Johnny. Don't be afraid.
I'm not Johnny, man.
I know, Tito.
Tito Grande.
Come on.
Angel.
Angel, help us.
Stay out of it.
Angel.
Go get a teacher.
It's Frank Garcia.
When I say Garcia, you answer, ok?
Are your friends auditing?
I audited them to come with me.
I'm a cyclone from Bolivia.
One-man gang.
This is my domain.
Don't give me no gas.
I'll jump on your face,
tattoo your chromosomes.
This is basic maths, but basic
maths is too easy for you,
so I'm going to teach you
algebra because I'm the champ.
And if all you can do
is add and subtract,
you're prepared to do
one thing... pump gas.
Ripping off a gas station is
better than working in one.
Ok. I'm a tough guy. Tough
guys don't do maths.
Tough guys deep-fry
chicken for a living.
Want a wing or a leg, man?
Who ever heard of negative
and positive numbers?
Negative numbers are
like unemployment.
10 million people out of work.
That's a negative number.
We'll need lots of Kleenex.
There's going to be
lots of bloodshed.
Ever been to the beach?
Yeah.
You ever play with the sand?
Yeah.
Finger man.
Come on, finger man.
You ever dig a hole?
The sand that comes out of
the hole, that's a positive.
The hole is a negative.
That's it. Simple.
Anybody can do it.
2 + 2 =...
net head.
Ok. Answer it.
Come on. You know the answer.
2 + 2. Fill the hole.
If I had that on my hands,
I wouldn't raise it either.
Ok. A negative 2 + 2 =...
anybody can do it.
Fill the hole.
2 + 2 =...
come on. Just fill the hole.
You can do it.
You going to let these
donkey laugh at you?
2 + 2 =...
I'll break your neck
like a toothpick.
Ok.
Zero.
Zero. You're right.
Simple. That's it.
2 + 2 = 0.
He just filled the hole.
Did you know neither the
Greeks nor the Romans
were capable of using
the concept of zero?
It was your ancestors, the Mayas,
who first contemplated the zero...
the absence of value.
True story.
You donkey have maths
in your blood.
Hey, Kemo knows everything.
The man knows everything.
Kemo knows.
Ok. Ok.
Parentheses means multiply.
Every time you see
this, you multiply.
A negative X a
negative = a positive.
A negative X a
negative = a positive.
A negative X a
negative = a positive.
Say it.
A negative X a
negative = a positive.
A negative X a
negative = a positive.
A negative X a
negative = a positive.
I can't hear you.
A negative X a
negative = a positive.
A negative X a
negative = a positive.
A negative X a
negative = a positive.
Why?
Mrs Ortega, I don't want
to be the principal
of the first school in
Los Angeles history
to lose its accreditation.
I'm not saying this maths
department couldn't improve,
but if you want
higher test scores,
start by changing the economic
level of this community.
The purpose of this meeting is
to review the recommendations
for accreditation.
Any suggestions?
Anybody?
Yeah. I don't think I
should be teaching maths.
I was hired to be a
phys-Ed instructor.
As I said before, we
lack the resources
to implement the changes
the district demands.
Mr Sanzaki, you must
have a comment.
This may not be the
right time, but...
I'm sorry, but I won't be
coming back after Christmas.
I got a job with aerospace.
How much money you'll be making?
Look, we have the
remainder of the year
before we're put on probation.
Now, if we fail, we'll
lose our accreditation.
We fail?
You can't teach logarithms
to illiterates.
Kids come to us with barely
a seventh grade education.
There isn't a teacher here
who isn't doing
everything possible.
I'm not. I could teach more.
I'm sure Mr Escalante
has good intentions,
but he's only been
here a few months.
Students will rise to the level
of expectations, senor Molina.
What do you need, Mr Escalante?
Ganas.
That's all we need is ganas.
What's ganas?
We will begin each
class with a quiz.
Aw. Aw.
There will be...
there will be no free rides,
no excuses.
You already have 2
strikes against you.
There are some
people in this world
who assume that you
know less than you do
because of your name
and your complexion.
But maths is the great equaliser.
When you go for a job, the
person giving you that job
will not want to hear your
problems, and neither do I.
You'll work harder than
you've ever worked before.
And the only thing I
ask from you is ganas.
Desire. A haircut.
If you don't have ganas,
I will give it to you
because I am an expert.
Today is Monday.
Tomorrow's Wednesday.
Friday is payday...
the weekly test.
There will be no diagonal vision.
You have 10 minutes
to finish the quiz.
If you finish early,
work on that assignment.
No questions? Good.
Angel.
Let's go.
I was said to go here.
Nice knowing you.
Have a good day. Arrivederci.
You're in luck.
Take the seat.
Relax.
Take sominex, but don't
sleep in my class.
I take that as an insult.
Hello.
Hey, Kemo, man.
I want to talk to you
about the class.
You ain't got a seat.
Don't give me no gas.
That was a mistake.
I'll fly straight.
I got a little problem.
Yeah. Me.
No. Seriously, man. Books.
The homies can't see
me haul them around.
You wouldn't want anyone thinking
you're intelligent, huh?
Maybe I can have 2 books
and stash one at home?
I'll cut you a deal.
I'll give you 3 books.
One... take one home.
One for your class.
This one's broken.
One for your locker
so nobody sees you carrying them.
Easily understood? What do I get?
Protection, Kemo.
Protection. Understand?
I understand.
I understand.
The only reason I'm
still in Kemo's class
is because of that, man.
Just don't let her
know that you dig her.
That's the worst thing
you can do with a woman.
I'm pretty fed up with
this teacher we got.
Escalante's got a bug up his ass.
Dude's from South America,
some Nazi come out of hiding.
Don't you know what's happening?
Garfield's having problems
with accreditation.
Only the asshole teachers
will keep their jobs.
What if we all decide
not to take this test?
He can't fail the whole class.
Mutiny. Cool.
See you guys later.
Camejo thinks she's so hot just
because she dates gabachos.
If we don't do better today,
heads are going to roll.
I've never gotten anything
lower than a B-plus.
That's because you take
those Mickey mouse classes.
Always get an "A."
Here you got a chance
for a solid "D."
You got 10 minutes.
What's the matter with you?
I'm not taking the quiz.
You didn't turn in
your homework either.
The goat ate it.
Don't do your homework, don't
got a ticket to watch the show.
Give her the chair, man.
Chair. The chair.
The chair. The chair.
The chair. The chair.
Chair.
Chair.
Chair.
Chair.
Chair. Chair. Chair.
Chair. Chair. Chair.
All right. Yeah.
The chair.
Shut up.
Get back to your tests.
You got less than 9 minutes.
Now you're the show.
What's the matter with you?
You're a top student.
Come on.
3:00.
You'll have to do it anyway.
You will be bald
if you do not put your
shirt inside the pants.
Yes. Yes. Mira, huh?
My cute son, Juanito,
dinner's ready.
Come inside.
Hurry up.
Dad?
Come on all to bed.
Come on. Come on.
Come on. Come on.
Let's go. Let's go.
Come on. Come on.
Come on. Let's go.
Let's go. Let's go.
In the bed.
Juanito.
Hi, mum.
Kids go to bed?
Yeah.
Papa go to work?
Yeah.
Want me to fix you
something to eat?
My daughter, could you
please turn off that light?
Ha ha ha.
Ok, homeboy.
Teacher time, ese.
Oh, yeah.
Angel?
What?
Tell Kemo I said, "que hubo?" ese.
Oh, shit, man.
Hey.
Factoring. Ok.
Green light, red light.
Anybody? Ana?
Late. Late.
Late. Late.
Ok, ok, ok.
Ok, ok.
Go see the counsellor.
Come on, Kemo.
Take woodshop.
Make yourself a shoeshine box.
You'll need it.
Ok, Kemo. You're
the man, you know.
Why don't you put them in college
so dumb taco benders like me
can pick their vegetables for
them, collect their garbage,
clip their poodles' toenails.
I may be a sinner, but I'm
willing to pay for my sins.
One-shot deal. Go on, sit down.
See you at 3:00.
Go to hell.
I got more bad news, profs.
I know what I'll say
will trip you out.
Mr Escalante, I forgot my pencil.
He can have mine.
Today's my last day.
No, no, no, no.
Thank you.
Well, did you enjoy your taquitos?
Very well, sir. Very,
very well all...
except for one thing...
someone doesn't know how to add.
She should be going
back to school.
Anita, come here, please.
Wake up, my daughter.
Look, no more. You
screwed up again.
Papa, this is Mr Escalante,
my maths teacher.
Mr Delgado, how are you?
Pleasure.
A pleasure. My wife Fabiola.
Pleasure.
Can you sit with us?
Sure.
Anita, bring us a couple
of beers, please.
You should get another waitress.
Ana can be the first to
graduate from high school,
go to college.
Thank you for your concern.
Her mother works here.
Her sisters, her brothers.
This is a family business.
She's needed.
She could help the family
more by getting an education.
Ah, probably get pregnant,
wouldn't finish college.
Anita, go help your mum
in the kitchen, huh?
She talks about going
to medical school.
No.
I don't think so.
She should make her own choices.
Just a moment.
I am the father of Nina, not you.
She'll just get fat.
She'll waste her life
away in a restaurant.
She's top kid.
I started washing dishes
for a nickel an hour.
Now I own this place.
Did I waste my life?
I washed dishes, too,
when I came to America.
Good.
Put on an apron, give us a hand.
Your husband comes into
my restaurant, eats,
then he insults me.
Excuse my husband, Mr Delgado.
He just wants what's best for Ana.
She could go to
college, come back,
and teach you how
to run the place.
Professor...
I don't want your money, and
I don't need your business.
Skip it.
Tip.
He puts hot chillies in his
dip to sell extra beer.
Iora. Iora. Iora.
Kawasaki.
Kawasaki.
Yeow.
Dog, dog, dog, dog.
Dog, dog, dog, dog.
Ok...
everybody, look at the board.
Will someone please read for me
what's on the board? Anybody.
"Juan has 5 times as many
girlfriends as Pedro.
"Carlos has one girlfriend
less than Pedro.
"The total number of girlfriends
between them is 20.
"How many does each gigolo have?"
Late.
Late.
Late. Late. Late.
Ok, ok, ok.
Ok, ok, ok, ok.
How many girlfriends does
each gigolo have? Anybody.
You got it, Einstein?
You think you'll do it?
Juan is X. Carlos is Y.
Pedro is X + Y.
Is Pedro bisexual, or what?
I have a terrible
feeling about you.
Kemo, 5x = Juan's girlfriends?
You're good now, but you'll
end up barefoot, pregnant,
and in the kitchen.
Can you get negative girlfriends?
No, just negative boyfriends.
Please forgive them for
they know not what they do.
Carlos has X-5
girlfriends. Que no?
Que no? Is right. Que no.
The answer to my prayers.
May I go to the restroom, please?
In 10 minutes. Hold it.
Senor Maya. Hit it.
It's a trick problem, Mr Kemo.
You can't solve it unless you know
how many girlfriends
they have in common.
It's not that they're stupid,
it's just they don't
know anything.
I'm wrong?
X = Pedro's girlfriends,
5X = Juan's girlfriends.
X - 1 = Carlos' girlfriends.
X + 5X + X - 1 = 20.
So X = 3.
Good to see you.
This stuff don't make sense.
How does it work
in the real world?
Would it be possible
to get some gigolos
for a practical demonstration?
No, no, no, stop.
Just kidding, just kidding.
Wow.
Check it out.
Get out of here.
Please.
What kind of maths is this?
This particular one
that's up right now is calculus.
You'll get it in college.
My daughter uses this
program in her high school.
I want to teach
calculus next year.
Boy, that's a jump.
That's ridiculous.
They haven't had trig
or maths analysis.
They'll take them this summer.
Our best students
attend summer school?
From 7:00 to 12:00 every
day, including Saturdays.
Yep. That'll do it.
Our summer classrooms are
reserved for remedial courses.
If you want to change,
start from the top.
Mr Escalante, don't lecture us.
Our kids can't handle calculus.
We don't even have the books.
If they pass the
advanced placement test,
they get college credit.
There are teachers in this room
who'd have trouble passing
the advanced placement test.
You really think you
can make this fly?
I teach calculus or...
have a good day.
Well, if this man can
walk in here and...
dictate his own terms
over my objections...
I see no reason
for me to continue
as department chair.
Raquel, don't take
this personally.
I'm thinking about those kids.
If they try and don't succeed,
you'll shatter what little
self-confidence they have.
These aren't the types
that, bounce back.
Have a good day.
Thanks, man.
Kemo, it stinks like
last year in here.
Somebody give Claudia an orange.
Ok, ok, ok. Sit down.
You think I want to do this?
The Japanese pay me to do this.
They're tired of
making everything.
They want you guys to
pull your own weight
so they can take
vacations on mount Fuji.
Kemo, I thought this room
was supposed to be
air-conditioned, man.
You should think...
cool.
Think...
cool. Cool.
Think...
cool. Cool.
Cool. Cool.
Cool. Cool.
Cool.
Cool. Cool.
Out of the blue,
I get a letter saying I was fired
because of proposition 13.
I'm down to $936.
I invest 100 in resumes,
and I bought this suit.
I hit every insurance company.
My wife wants us to move
in with her parents.
2 weeks later I get another letter
telling me to report to work.
Like the suit?
Fabulous.
How about the colour?
Welcome back, baldy.
You ok?
Yeah, I'm ok.
You sure?
Yes. I said I was fine.
Oh.
We'll go step by
step, inch by inch.
Calculus wasn't made to be easy.
It already is.
Remember the good times
we had last summer?
Do you remember when things
were really jumping good?
The good times are
gone with the wind.
It's now the good, the
bad, and the ugly.
Come on. A contract?
You can't trust us by now?
For those of you
making the commitment,
you'll be preparing for the
advanced placement test.
Have one signed before tomorrow.
We come an hour early,
take your class twice,
and stay until 5:00?
Believe it or don't.
We got to come on Saturdays?
And no vacation?
Pass the A.P. exam,
get college credit.
Big deal.
We're seniors.
It's our year to slack off.
Johnny, will you make
it Saturday morning
playing in your band Friday night?
You love scaring us
into doing stuff, man,
but that gets old real fast.
Hey, Kemo.
You proud of me?
I'm the first dude here.
What's calculus?
Mum...
calculus is maths. Sir
Isaac Newton invented
it so he could figure
out planet orbits,
but he never bothered
to tell anybody
until this other scientist guy
told everybody he had
invented calculus.
But the stupid guy
got it all wrong,
and so Newton had to go public
and correct his mistakes.
Isn't that neat?
For a genius, Newton was an idiot.
Don't worry, mum.
If I invent something,
I'll be sure to get paid.
I hope this is not an excuse
to stay out all hours?
Trust me, mum. Sign it.
Boys don't like if
you're too smart.
Mum, I'm doing this so I
don't have to depend on
some dumb guy the rest of my life.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
You don't got it signed, you got
no ticket to watch the show.
Good morning. Good morning.
Mr Blue Eyes, thank very much.
Elizabeth, my Taylor.
Sophia, my Loren.
Get a haircut.
Thank you very much.
Get a new jacket. Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Clint, you forget your gun?
Unfold it.
Here.
Get out of the way. Here.
You didn't sign it.
I'm putting school on hold.
Sign it.
My uncle offered me a job
operating a fork lift.
Saturdays and Sundays
are time and a half.
2 years in the union,
I'll make more than you.
Kemo, I don't want
to let you down,
but the money will
buy a new trans am.
Nobody cruises through life.
Wouldn't you rather design
these than repair them?
You can't even do that.
They got fuel injection.
You'll strip my gears.
Ok, Kemo.
Don't panic, Johnny.
Just watch out for the other guy.
Right or left?
Where are we going?
Right or left?
Go right. Go right.
All you see is the turn.
You don't see the road ahead.
Ok, dude.
Open the gate. We'll be late.
What are you guys
doing here so early?
We're in Escalante's
class, remember?
Wake up. Drink some coffee, man.
One, you got the graph right here.
Two, this strip, the
most important part...
it's the radius of rotation.
That's it.
Anybody got any questions?
Anybody can do it as long as you
remember one basic element,
and that's the
element of surprise.
Stay awake because
you're waking up.
Bring toothpicks to
pinch open your eyes.
You understand what I mean?
I was swimming with dolphins,
whispering imaginary numbers,
looking for the fourth dimension.
Good. Go back to sleep.
That's very good.
Ok, any questions?
Yes? No? Nothing?
Ok.
Ok, you should have it by now.
Ok, what's the answer? Anybody?
Claudia?
Come on. We're going backwards.
You're fooling around too
much during the weekend.
This girl needs work
from the neck up.
We'll have to stay late again.
Aw. Come on.
You know there's pizza,
because they deliver.
We can get fried chicken,
hamburgers with cheese.
Jeez, we'll need donations.
You owe me money anyway.
You don't deserve the
grades you're getting.
Where are you going?
You late for another date?
She's got more boyfriends
than Elizabeth Taylor.
I don't appreciate you
using my personal life
to entertain this class.
Claudia.
Ok, ok.
Everything is falling
apart right now.
My boyfriend's freaking out...
my mum... school sucks.
I'm in that classroom
all day, Kemo.
Look at my clothes,
my hair... I can't even comb it.
I hate my life.
So, what's the problem?
Kemo.
Put it here in this line.
In this line.
No no no. Here.
Calmate, my son.
Wait for me here.
Yes.
Yes. Huh. I understand that, but
you'll have to bring him in.
I'm not a doctor.
There's no way.
Hey.
- I don't do diagnosis.
- Huh.
Look, I'm sorry. We'll have...
Mira.
Could you hold a moment?
Could we see the doctor
before next week?
Okay. Hold on. Insurance?
No.
Medical?
No, either.
How will you pay?
If we could pay,
we'd go to a regular hospital.
My grandmother could
catch pneumonia.
Ok. Take a seat. We'll
call your number.
Ma'am, you'll have
to bring him in.
There's no way we can
get around that.
I understand that. You'll
have to bring him in.
Try the short cut.
This is easy. Baby
stuff for boy scouts.
My mind don't work this way.
Tic-tac-toe.
Piece of cake upside-down.
Watch for the green light.
I've been with you guys 2 years.
Everybody knows I'm the dumbest.
I can't handle calculus.
They have a better chance of
making the A.P. test without me.
Don't laugh.
How could we laugh? You're
breaking our hearts.
Don't do this, Kemo.
How noble... to sacrifice himself.
Do you have the ganas?
Yes.
Should I do it for you?
Yes.
Say no.
I'm going to have to get tough.
We'll work right through
Christmas break.
The counsellor was just
here looking for you.
Something about some
cosmetology classes.
He says there's 3
different levels...
one for boys, one for girls,
and one for... go find out.
Please, listen, man. It's cool.
My grandmother...
Clock out.
Game's over. You lose.
You never listen to nobody, man.
You think you are smart.
Goodbye.
Why don't you send me some
postcards or call me?
We love you.
Does Kemo know this, bastard, huh?
That guy's got a bigger
problem than you.
Tic...
tac...
toe... simple.
She's a little sloppy
with her homework.
Dad, get off the
phone so we can eat.
No. She's a top student.
Your father works 60 hours a week,
then he volunteers to teach
night school for free.
Merry Christmas to you, too.
He's visiting junior high
schools in his spare time.
Corn and potatoes?
What happened to the lomo
montado, pique a lo macho?
Jaime, I don't want you
to teach this holiday.
No.
No teaching...
papa...
there's a problem here
I don't understand.
See what I mean?
His own son has
problems with maths.
No books at the table.
Go wash your hands.
I'll get it.
You see what I mean?
Oh, ma'am, how are you?
Very well.
Senor Escalante, Angelito
has to go back to school.
He can not lose his place.
Do not worry, ma'am.
Come in, please.
Pleasure.
My wife.
I've seen you do lots
of underhanded tricks,
but bringing your
grandma to my house
at Christmas time? Come on.
I need calculus to take
me to a good career.
Something smells good.
Icaray.
♪ On the first day of Christmas ♪
♪ A cholo came to me ♪
This is what's given.
We're looking for the area
bounded by the curve.
What are the limits? Anybody.
0 to PI over 2.
Wrong. Lupe.
0 to PI over 2?
What's wrong with you?
This is review.
I checked my work twice.
Check it again.
Mine's the same as chubby.
Don't call me chubby, asshole.
It's 0 to PI over 2.
I got the same thing.
You should know this. No way.
What's wrong with you?
This is review.
You're acting like a
blind man in a dark room
looking for a black
cat that isn't there.
What's wrong with you?
I don't believe it.
You're giving me a
shot from the back.
Kemo finally blew a head gasket.
It's a pen.
It's a pen.
It's a pencil.
It's a pencil.
It's a chair.
It's a chair.
It's a light.
It's a light.
It's a window.
It's a window.
It's in the room on the table.
It's 10:00.
It's in the room on the table.
It's 10:00.
One moment, please.
One moment, please.
Oh.
Page 456, please.
Come on, you guys. 456.
Will you shut up
and sit down, man?
We told him to take it easy.
It's our fault. We sit back
and watch him burn in.
It's burn out.
He brought it on himself.
He asked for it.
How can you say that?
You're a wanna-be
cholo asshole, man.
Oh, that's disgusting.
You want me?
I'll kick your ass.
All right, break it up.
Pancho.
Just break it up.
Now, just settle down.
Later.
Settle down, Angel.
Now Mr Escalante is ok.
He suffered a mild heart attack,
and he'll be under observation
for the time being.
Mr Schloss is your substitute.
Now, out of respect
to Mr Escalante,
please give him your
undivided attention.
Now I don't want any more
trouble from this room.
All right, Pancho,
you come with me.
Angel, let's go.
Tito, take your seat.
Mr Molina has informed me
you have your A.P.
calculus exam in 2 weeks.
I'll be honest with you.
I've never taught calculus before.
I'm really a music teacher.
You mad at me, mummy?
If I thought it would
help, I would be angry.
Dad...
the doctor says no stress.
No job-related activity
for at least a month.
I want another doctor.
Jaime, I have to go.
I left Fernando with a neighbour.
I'll stay with dad.
Go with your mother.
Don't forget to take
out the trash, ok?
Ok, dad.
Come on, mum.
What time do you get out of work?
Hi.
Hey. Mr Escalante.
I'm still alive.
I'm a hard-dying type of guy.
Shouldn't you be in the hospital?
I should be with you.
Bulldogs.
Dog, dog, dog, dog.
Thank you very much
for baby-sitting.
Have a good day.
How are you?
Hey, you should be
taking it easy, man.
No, I should be
here with you guys.
I mean, you already forgot
to stand up. Everybody.
No, against the wall
like a snake. Hurry.
We've been practising
for this all year.
You're the best.
You guys are the best.
This is a piece of cake.
Upside-down.
And...
step by step.
All right. You got it now.
Open your eyes.
Y = In...
quantity x - 1. What's the domain?
X is greater than -1.
No. To the end of the line.
I'm gone 2 days, and
you forget already.
What's the domain?
All real numbers greater
than 1. X is greater than 1.
I told you you could do it.
Ok.
Be sure each mark is black
and completely fills
the answer space.
If you make an error, you may
save time by crossing it out,
rather than trying to erase it.
It's not expected that
everyone will answer
all the multiple-choice questions.
When you're told to
begin, open your booklet,
tear out the green
insert, and start work.
You may begin now.
Let's go.
Come on. Get in.
Get in.
Oh, no, it's too cold.
Anita. Come on, Anita.
Angel.
I like to keep my pants
dry, you know, man?
Angel. Come on in.
Come on.
The water's great.
Come on.
Ok, fine.
Fine.
This is so stupid, man.
I'm coming.
Angel.
Come on.
Come on.
Ok, grandpa.
We, being teachers,
know the advanced placement
tests are very difficult,
especially in mathematics.
Less than 2% of all high
school seniors nationwide
even attempt the advanced
placement calculus test.
You've been drinking.
I am proud to announce
that no other high school
in southern California
has more students passing
than Garfield high school.
No. He just walks like that.
18 students took the test.
18 passed.
Many...
We have an announcement to make.
It's all right.
Ok.
We, the A.P. calculus class,
would like to present this
plaque to our teacher...
Jaime A. Escalante.
Come on up.
Yes?
This is Guadalupe Escobar.
What is this, some kind of joke?
Wait, wait a minute. Who is this?
For real?
What?
You're crazy, man.
"It's standard procedure
to grade the test
"with the identity of
the students concealed.
"Only after the
irregularities were found
"was it determined the students
were all from Garfield."
You all received the same letter?
Yeah. Yeah.
"Based upon the unusual
agreement of incorrect answers,
"E.T.S. has no alternative
but to question the scores
"of students with such
unusual agreement."
What's it mean in English?
We copied each other
because we all had the
same wrong answers.
We're too stupid to
cheat correctly.
Why don't we just sue?
"The board doubts the
grades are valid for you
"because of these
unusual circumstances."
These people are human.
They can make mistakes, too.
Kemo, these people are
calling us cheaters.
All right.
This is where we keep all
confidential material,
S.A.T. and A.P. tests included.
I assure you, only my secretary
and I know the combination.
Mr Molina, this controversy
is officially between
the Educational Testing
Service and the students.
It does not reflect upon your
school or its administration.
I understand.
We'd like to resolve this with
the least publicity possible.
I'd appreciate that.
All right?
Yep.
Do you think they got
the test ahead of time?
Well, Claudia was having
emotional problems.
Pancho was way behind.
Do you really think
anyone cheated?
No, but my father does.
Damn shit.
Look at this shit.
If I'd have taken that
job with my uncle,
I could have had a
brand-new car by now.
It's ok. You can fix it.
Come on, ok? Just relax.
Hey, I didn't know
you two were like a thing now.
Just something for the summer.
Come on, Lupe.
You're such an asshole, Pancho.
Lupe, wait.
Shit.
Lots of stars up there,
homey. Not too polluted.
Stars aren't really there, ese.
No, what you're looking at
is where they used to be, man.
It takes the light
a thousand years to
reach the earth.
For all we know, they
burned out long ago, man.
God pulled the plug on us.
He didn't tell nobody.
Those stars are out there.
I don't care what you say.
Hey, homeboy.
Ialli, I take you, my daughter.
Come on, throw me a kiss, baby.
Hey.
Hey, throw me a kiss.
That's right. That's right.
That's all you know.
What's the matter, you
can't afford a knife?
Use a pencil, go to jail.
Can I have this back now?
You got a tough mouth. You
better watch yourself.
Nice to meet you, officer.
Let's go, Jack.
That was real smart, ese.
Get away from my ride.
Get up.
Come on, get up.
Where are you going?
Come back.
Angel.
Well...
does anyone have anything to say?
Ana...
I've known your family for years.
Tell us the truth.
Nothing happened.
Don't lie to me.
Nothing happened.
Just leave her alone.
She didn't do anything wrong.
Then tell us who did.
We're not cops.
We're not here to put
anybody behind bars.
If you cheated, let us
know so you can go home
and enjoy the rest of your summer.
Can I.
I come from this neighbourhood.
I come from this neighbourhood,
and I know that
sometimes we're tempted
to take short cuts.
Just tell me the
truth. What happened?
Tell me the truth.
Ok.
We're busted. Why don't
we just admit it?
How'd you do it?
I got the test ahead of time
and passed it out to everyone.
How did you get it?
The postman.
I strangled him.
His body's decomposing
in my locker.
There's no sense in continuing
if they won't cooperate.
Do you know how
this got in my box?
A letter of resignation.
Anonymous.
My guess is it could
have something to do
with the mess this school is in.
You think they cheated?
Mr Escalante, you put these kids
under an awful lot of pressure.
They would have gone to any
lengths to please you.
You didn't answer my question.
All right.
Well...
every night when I go to bed
I watch the television news.
I see lots of people go on trial.
They deny everything,
or their lawyers say they
were insane at the time.
A lot of them get off.
But I believe that most people
who get caught today are guilty.
Don't you?
Yep.
I know what you mean.
Have you seen my car?
No.
Do you need a ride home?
No, thank you.
Kemo, let me take you home.
Jaime?
Jaime...
want to talk about it?
I may have made a mistake
trying to teach them calculus.
Regardless of whether they
passed that test or not, Jaime,
they learned.
Yeah, they learned if you try
real hard, nothing changes.
Quit.
If that's all you
have left to teach...
quit.
You know, what kills me
is that they lost the
confidence in the system
that they're now finally
qualified to be a part of.
I don't know why I'm
losing sleep over this.
I don't need it.
I could make twice the
money in less hours
and have people treat
me with respect.
Respect?
Jaime, those kids love you.
Hey, Kemo.
Check out your ride. We
fixed it up for you.
Going downtown, man, to take
action on those E.T.S. boys.
Hey, dad, check out your new car.
We got to talk about the payments.
Golly.
Gentlemen?
My name is Jaime Escalante.
I'm the A.P. calculus teacher
from Garfield high school.
Yes. Yes.
I'm Dr Pearson.
Hello, doctor.
This is Dr Ramirez.
How are you? A pleasure.
It's a pleasure, sir.
I feel I have the right to know
why you think my students cheated.
Mr Escalante,
I'm sorry you drove out here,
but we're not at liberty
to discuss the
controversy with you.
I'd just like to see
the test, that's all.
Mr Escalante,
I understand what you're
going through here.
But I repeat,
the problem's between the
E.T.S. and the students.
I'd just like to see
what mistakes were made.
I'm their teacher. I know my kids.
Mr Escalante, have a seat.
No. No, thank you.
There were some unorthodox,
even illogical computations
for students of this calibre.
Mistakes in simple maths.
Maybe they made the same mistakes
because they had the
same instruction.
I taught them step by
step, all the same way.
Look. Your students
averaged fewer than 4 wrong
on the multiple choice,
where other schools
average what...
14 to 18 incorrect answers?
And most of your kids
finished with time to spare.
They should be rewarded,
not punished.
Mr Escalante, the
educational testing service
does not act capriciously.
Every major university
in the United States
subscribes to our service.
I would like to see
proof of wrongdoing.
I would like to see the tests.
Let me reiterate.
There's no proof of wrongdoing,
only a suspicion of cheating.
One is innocent until
proven guilty,
not the other way around.
If you're so confident of
your student's abilities,
encourage them to retest.
Why should I?
If they don't, everyone
will assume they cheated.
Everyone will assume
they cheated if they do.
I want to see the tests, please.
Mr Escalante, we're
psychometricians,
thorough to the point of boring.
We're not out to get anybody here.
Hold on. If this was
2 students cheating,
that's one thing.
But by making a
blanket accusation,
you're saying there
was a conspiracy.
Every conspiracy has a leader.
Who better to lead
it than the teacher?
Nobody's accusing you of anything.
Not only me.
The school, parents,
the entire community.
Scores this high
would be questioned
regardless of the school.
If this was Beverly
Hills high school,
you two wouldn't be investigating.
Mr Escalante, I hope
you're not insinuating
that we haven't earned
our position here,
because no one's given
me a damn thing.
You're letting your emotions
get the best of you.
If no one's given
you a damn thing,
you should not be taking
away from my kids.
The identity of the
students were concealed
until it was determined that
irregularities existed.
Those scores are only
being questioned
because my kids have
Spanish surnames
and come from barrio schools.
You know that.
We've been patiently
explaining our position
and listening to your complaints.
Now our conversation is over.
There's something going on here
that nobody's talking about,
and you know what it is.
No one has the right to
accuse me of racism.
No one has the right to
accuse me of racism.
I know well how to
spell discrimination.
I thought this was
over a long time ago.
Are you doing this to my kids?
There are 2 kinds of racism...
singling out members
of a minority group
and not singling out members
of a minority group.
My kids could teach
you a thing or two.
I'm calling security if you
can't control yourself.
Go ahead.
You didn't show me the test.
You didn't prove anything.
They didn't do anything.
I'll prove you guys wrong.
I hope you do, because this
is not between you and me.
Maybe not, but if I catch
you on the street,
I'll kick the shit out of you.
Yeah, this is Guadalupe Escobar.
I've decided to take
the test again.
You're kidding.
Kemo, we only have
one day to study.
Ok. 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Thank you.
Why didn't you let
me talk to them?
Call collect. Stick
them with a big bill.
I thought I'd seen this
place for the last time.
We'll have to review the
entire course in one shot.
You mean in one day?
Can't do it in less.
It'll be the same test?
It'll be harder.
Don't count on that.
Just go step by step
and play defence.
Don't bring anything.
No pencils, no erasers, nothing.
Don't wear clothes
with too many pockets.
Don't let your eyes wander.
No spacing out.
Don't give them any opportunity
to call you cheaters.
You are the true dreamers,
and dreams accomplish
wonderful things.
You're the best.
Tomorrow you'll prove
that you're the champs.
Start with chapter one.
Kemo, what you making over there?
You like brains?
Good. I was afraid you guys
wouldn't appreciate it.
This food lasts for 24 hours.
You're afraid we'll screw up
royally tomorrow, aren't you?
Tomorrow's just
another day, honey.
I'm afraid you'll screw up
the rest of your lives.
I'm fried.
I don't care if I don't pass.
Sit down. We got work to do.
I'm going home.
Sit down.
I'm tired, and I'm going home.
Ok?
You know what you're doing?
I'm going home. That's
what I'm doing.
This stuff's ready.
Who'd like some?
Kemo, let's order out, man.
I was just kidding.
Hey, I had to see you.
You can't expect me
to be your girlfriend
at your convenience.
I'm an asshole.
Sorry.
I'm sure you're all familiar
with the procedure.
You have 90 minutes to complete
the multiple-choice section.
Do not fill in
answers by guessing.
Wrong answers will be
counted against you.
You may begin part one...
now.
Ok. Pencils down.
You have 90 minutes to complete
the free response section.
Don't spend too much time
on any particular answer.
Credit will be issued
for partial solutions.
Open the booklet.
Begin part 2. Good luck.
Finished?
I cannot finish the test.
I have an appointment at USC.
It's related to my scholarship.
Can't that wait?
No, it can't.
Ok. Did you fill out your ID card?
Yes. Thank you.
Ok...
pencils down.
Mr Escalante?
Mr Escalante,
did you hear the news?
We got the computers.
Yep. That'll do it.
Jaime, they want to go
over the test again,
make sure there's no
misunderstandings.
Estelle, I'm going to
the faculty meeting.
Thank you.
Misunderstanding again?
Can you call Dr Ramirez?
He'll help us.
He's going to tell me
the same thing, Jaime.
All right. I'll call him.
Icaray.
This is Mr Molina calling again.
Yes, I did.
Oh, you do?
Yes. Yes, I'd like that very much.
One moment.
Yes, yes. I'm aware
of the scoring.
3 is a passing grade.
5 is a perfect grade.
Yes. I'm ready. Go ahead.
Diaz, Maria. 4.
Sinfuentes, Mark. 5.
Navarra, Jose. 4.
I want the original
scores reinstated.
Santos, Daniel. 4.
Escobar, Guadalupe. 5.
Camejo, Claudia. 4.
Ana Delgado. 4.
Garcia, Francisco. 3.
Fuentes, Rafaela. 4.
Javier Perales. 5.
Guitaro, Armando. 4.
Angel Guzman...
5.
Estelle, hold the meeting.
We're coming with great news.
Pernajas, Juliana. 5.
Hernandez, Alejandro. 4.
Castro, Monica. 4.
♪ Some people hate and
expect perfection ♪
♪ Some people lie and
demand the truth ♪
♪ Gotta ask myself if
it's all deception ♪
♪ Is this a natural thing ♪
♪ That we all just do ♪
♪ We take such
pleasure from pain ♪
♪ I'm just tired of
playing that game ♪
♪ Some things you've
got to change ♪
♪ You've got to
stand and deliver ♪
♪ With your body and soul ♪
♪ Stand and deliver ♪
♪ Just give me something to hold ♪
♪ Stand and deliver ♪
♪ If the truth can be told ♪
♪ We can make it together ♪
♪ If you stand ♪
♪ Stand and deliver ♪
♪ Sometimes my mind drives
me to distraction ♪
♪ I wanna shut all the windows ♪
♪ And lock the doors ♪
♪ Every time I get a little
bit of satisfaction ♪
♪ I see our world come
tumbling to the floor ♪
♪ I know in this life ♪
♪ You gotta stand up
for what feels right ♪
♪ Each day and every night ♪
♪ You've got to
stand and deliver ♪
♪ With your body and soul ♪
♪ Stand and deliver ♪
♪ Just give me something to hold ♪
♪ Stand and deliver ♪
♪ If the truth can be told ♪
♪ We can make it together ♪
♪ If we stand and deliver ♪
♪ Stand and deliver ♪
♪ I know in this life ♪
♪ You gotta stand up
for what feels right ♪
♪ Each day and every night ♪
♪ You've got to
stand and deliver ♪
♪ With your body and soul ♪
♪ Stand and deliver ♪
♪ Just give me something to hold ♪
♪ Stand and deliver ♪
♪ So the truth can be told ♪
♪ We can make it together ♪
♪ If we stand ♪
♪ If we stand and deliver ♪
♪ Stand and deliver ♪
♪ If the truth can be told ♪
♪ We can make it together ♪