History Headscratchers / Annie2014

** Nearly every child in America goes to school and yet adult illiteracy is A Thing, so clearly it's entirely possible for this to happen. Dyslexia, one possible explanation for Annie's problems with reading, is frequently not even diagnosed until adulthood. The thing is, dyslexics tend to be both strategic and lateral thinkers, finding ways around difficulties like this either consciously or unconsciously. Not all parents or even teachers understand how various Special Educational Needs manifest and miss the signs. And that's in people with nurturing and stable upbringings. In the film, Annie's illiteracy is a sign that although on the surface the girl's childhood is not the obvious [[OrphansOrdeal Orphan's Ordeal]] of the original, the lack of adult care and attention has really had a tangible affect. Schools do have Special Educational Needs programs but often it's the parents/guardians who have to alert the school to the problems their child is having. If Miss. Hannigan - or any other foster parent - had sat down to help her with homework even once, Annie's issues would have become apparent. And as for teachers picking up on it, Annie has probably moved school at least once, is a bit of a cheeky troublemaker, making it easy for teachers to mistake her bad or missing work for shirking, and she's clearly very bright. In short, there is really no headscratcher here, just a sadly too-common story of someone getting lost in the system and adults dropping the ball.

** Because Hannigan made them probably.

** Nearly every child in America goes to school and yet adult illiteracy is A Thing, so clearly is entirely possible for this to happen. Dyslexia, one possible explanation for Annie's problems with reading, is frequently not even diagnosed until adulthood. The thing is, dyslexics tend to be both strategic and lateral thinkers, finding ways around difficulties like this either consciously or unconsciously. Not all parents or even teachers understand how various Special Educational Needs manifest and miss the signs. And that's in people with nurturing and stable upbringings. In the film, Annie's illiteracy is a sign that although on the surface the girl's childhood is not the obvious [[OrphansOrdeal Orphan's Ordeal]] of the original, the lack of adult care and attention has really had a tangible affect. Schools do have Special Educational Needs programs but often it's the parents/guardians who have to alert the school to the problems their child is having. If Miss. Hannigan - or any other foster parent - had sat down to help her with homework even once, Annie's issues would have become apparent. And as for teachers picking up on it, Annie has probably moved school at least once, is a bit of a cheeky troublemaker, making it easy for teachers to mistake her bad or missing work for shirking, and clearly very bright. In short, there is really no headscratcher here, just a sadly too-common story of someone getting lost in the system and adults dropping the ball.

* Why did the foster girls help with the fake parents auditions?

* If Annie [[spoiler:never learned to read]], then how did she know what [[spoiler: the note from her parents said]]?

* Forget being in school or the note from her parents - if Annie [[spoiler:can't read]], how the hell did she fill out ''all those forms'' when she was looking for information on her folks?

* Forgot being in school or the note from her parents - if Annie [[spoiler:can't read]], how the hell did she fill out ''all those forms'' when she was looking for information on her folks?

** RuleOfDrama, perhaps?

** She didn't. One of the girls copies the information needed on the form for her while Annie distracts Miss Hannigan.

* Forgot being in school or the note from her parents - if Annie [[spoiler:can't read]], how the hell did she fill out ''all those forms'' when she was looking for information on her folks?

** Presumably someone read it to her, and then she memorized it.

* If Annie [[spoiler:never learned to read]], then how did she know what [[spoiler: the note from her parents said]]?

** You also have to take into account that as she said, Annie has been really good at hiding her illiteracy. For example, she gives a highly creative and engaging history report off the top of her head. It could be that she does well enough in other areas for teachers not to notice much. Additionally, even if someone ''did'' notice, Annie could've fibbed her way out of the confrontation. If the adult went to Ms. Hannigan about it, such as requesting a parent-teacher conference...well, it's not like she'd care.

* You also have to take into account that as she said, Annie has been really good at hiding her illiteracy. For example, she gives a highly creative and engaging history report off the top of her head. It could be that she does well enough in other areas for teachers not to notice much. Additionally, even if someone ''did'' notice, Annie could've fibbed her way out of the confrontation. If the adult went to Ms. Hannigan about it, such as requesting a parent-teacher conference...well, it's not like she'd care.

** Unfortunately, the matter isn't as simple as that. You see, there have been times and still are times where the education system has failed and, as sad as it is, some kids have been "pushed along", which is to say, just sent to the next grade or given passing grades without any sort of help. Naturally, Annie is supposed to serve as a metaphor for such.

*** Don't schools have special ed rooms to help dyslexics learn?

** UsefulNotes/{{Dyslexia}}?

How can someone IN SCHOOL not know how to read?