1989 film set at eastside high

1989 film by John G. Avildsen

Lean on Me is a 1989 American biographical drama film directed by John G. Avildsen, written by Michael Schiffer, and starring Morgan Freeman.

It is based on the story of Joe Louis Clark, a real life inner cityhigh school principal in Paterson, New Jersey, whose school is in danger of being placed into receivership of the New Jersey state government unless students improve their test scores on the New Jersey Minimum Basic Skills Test.

This film's title refers to the 1972 Bill Witherssong of the same name, which is used in the film.

1989 film set at eastside high

Plot

In 1987, the once idyllic Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey, has deteriorated due to drug abuse and crime running rampant throughout the school. The majority of students cannot pass basic skills testing, and even the teachers are not safe from gang violence.

Mayor Bottman learns that the school will be turned over to state administration unless 75% of the students can pass the m