Table of ContentsLean On Me Movie SummaryConclusionWorks CitedLean on Me is a movie based on a true story, which begins in 1967 at an urban high school called East Side High in Paterson, New York. Jersey. All pupils behaved well and the school itself was in remarkably good condition. By all appearances, you were a model school. At East Side High, there was a teacher named Joe Clark. He was very passionate about his teaching and his methods and was very committed to his students. He taught in a unique way that made learning more enjoyable. However, the other teachers at the school didn't really like his style or his curriculum. They all got together and voted on whether Joe Clark should transfer to another school. He was quickly transferred. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Summary of the film "Lean On Me" The film jumps forward twenty years to 1987. You first see a visual of the school. It's completely destroyed, graffiti everywhere, broken glass and trash in almost every corner. The students were then shown walking down the halls, selling drugs, fighting and completely out of control. They refused to follow not only the school rules, but also the rules of courtesy towards other human beings. Furthermore, they showed no respect, insulting the teachers and talking back to them. They simply refused to do school work and there was a major lack of discipline as the teachers had no control over the students. The majority of students appeared to be chronic offenders. Chronic offenders are young people who begin their delinquent career at a young age, who have serious and repeated conflicts with the law, and who build a career in crime. these young people do not escape crime but continue their criminal behavior into adulthood. (Young delinquents, 60 years old)Conditions at East Side High damaged the reputation of the mayor who was running for re-election. He knew something had to be done to turn this school around. He then decided to bring Joe Clark back because they knew Joe had the qualities needed to get the job done. After much pressure, Joe Clark finally agreed to become principal of East Side High School. Principal Clark's first task was to expel the worst chronic offenders. He knew the school would be much safer and educationally functional without them. He then put locked chains on all the doors to keep them out. All that was left were the good students and perhaps a few registered delinquents. A status offense is conduct that is illegal solely because the child is a minor (Juvenile Delinquency, 21). Joe Clark was a disciplinarian. He was a forceful, often abrasive, yet compassionate but not gentle person. He believed in rules and structures and was very committed to his work. However, his personality didn't always mesh well with others. Teachers and students too often found him unnecessarily cruel and harsh. A lot of people were just terrified of crossing him because he could be so explosive. He began firing teachers who did not meet his requirements or whose teaching style he did not agree with. However, as people grew accustomed to him, they discovered that he had a softer side and, in fact, a big heart. They realized that he was simply trying to turn the school around and that he was making progress by doing just that. While Joe Clark was principal, the school took a turn.