The right to a decent education is the subject of an upcoming film showing and panel discussion hosted by the Santa Cruz Education Foundation.

The local nonprofit plans to host a benefit screening of Waiting for Superman, a new film, at the Nickelodeon Theatre this Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

Waiting for Superman, a film directed by Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth), puts faces and names to the story of the declining quality of education in the United States. The film follows a handful of students living in separate urban settings as they pursue a dream of winning a seat in a charter school.

Following the film will be a panel discussion hosted by former state Assemblyman John Laird. The rest of the panel includes County Superintendent of  Schools Michael Watkins, New Teacher Center CEO Ellen Moir, long-time educator George Martinez and Delta Charter School Prinicpal Mary Gaukel Forster.

"It is our collective responsibility to do the hard work necessary to ensure that all students have an outstanding neighborhood school," said Suz Howells, president of the Santa Cruz Education Foundation. "In partnership with parents, educators, neighbors and community leaders, together we are Superman.  Our kids deserve nothing less."

If you go…

What: Screening of Waiting for Superman and panel discussion

Where: 210 Lincoln St.

Cost: $15, available at the door or online

More information: http://theeddy.sceducation.org