the lottery

the value, in my opinion, of a documentary is that oftentimes when the credits begin to roll you can't stop your brain fast enough to even read words on the screen. at least this has been my most typical experience. last night i went to a local screening of the film the lottery. this film highlights a heated national debate over charter schools. i have my opinions on the matter, but i know enough to know my opinions are not infallible {nor do i think charter schools are infallible}. i simply encourage regardless of feelings or personal agenda that every person becomes more educated on the brutal social sorting of public education, perhaps starting with watching this film. good schooling should be more than just a matter of chance. 

it isn't a secret that i am passionate about education reform. i don't go to class on a friday night for nothing, you know? fortunately for me i had countless people throughout my lifetime work tirelessly to ensure i had the best education possible. however, i am aware that not everyone has people that go to battle for them on this end. i am also aware of the phrase "life is not fair." but i don't believe that should apply to education. education should be fair. it seems negligent for me to not fight for the rights of every child to receive a free and quality education, because in the same breath i believe that education is the key to systemic change on most every level. while i don't work to push one political agenda, i will push for education reform. i don't have the keys to this reformation, but i know of some people that seem to be pretty close {the controversial moskowitz being one of them}. 

what a teacher pose this is! crouching down, naturally.

here are a few facts about american education: 

1. the average black or latino 12th grader reads at the same level as the average white 8th grader.
2. 50% of children in low-income families will not graduate from high school by the time they are 18. 
3. 58% of black 4th graders are functionally illiterate.
4. the achievement gap between low-income students the their high-income peers costs the United States $500 billion/year.
5. only 10% of Americans living under the poverty line ever make it to college.

make this a daily read for updates on education in america: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/education/

where there is love {and a fight of equal opportunity}, 

there is art.