Learning Curve on AllMovie

Substitute teacher Walmsley (John S. Davies) is overwhelmed by politically correct policies and arrogant students at the Texas high school where he attempts to teach. What the doddering school officials, desperate for a teacher, don't realize is they've called Walmsley as he's recovering from a psychotic episode -- he's drugged and drooling when he takes the call. When rebellious Davey (Meason Wiley) attempts to rape naïve art teacher Louise (Marsha Dietlein) and then sues her -- only to have Louise beaten to a pulp in a school hallway by Davey's jealous girlfriend -- Walmsley has had enough: He kidnaps six of the worst students and encages them in an abandoned big game cage formerly used by a circus. The floors and bars are electrified, and if the kids don't learn their lessons, or if they continue to be rude and unruly, Walmsley gives them a shock. Graduation does not seem imminent.