Dangerous Minds

The dangers and problems inherent in contemporary urban schools provide the framework of this drama that tells the inspiring tale of a middle-class Anglo instructor who changes the lives of inner-city kids. It is based on a true story and opens as ex-Marine Louanne Johnson is hired to teach English to almost un-teachable remedial students, called the "rejects from hell" by the staff at Parkmont High. Before she can teach them, LouAnne must first get their attention. So first she demonstrates her karate skills. Next she begins bribing them with everything from candy to good grades to dinners at fancy restaurants. She then focuses her lessons on the subjects that most interest the kids -- drugs and violence. She begins with Bob Dylan and moves them into Dylan Thomas. When not teaching them in class, she becomes personally involved in some of their outside lives. Among those she tries to help are the pregnant Callie, the angry Raul, and the too-macho-for-his-own-good, Emilio.