Rebecca Friedrichs, a public school teacher for 28 years and a former leader in her local teachers union, explains what school choice is and why it's good for students, especially poor students trapped in failing public schools:
There was a documentary made in 2010 titled Waiting for Superman which followed several disadvantaged families who tried to get their children into a successful charter school in Washington, D.C., admission to which is done by lottery. The disappointment of the students and their families in the film when they didn't make it was profoundly heartbreaking. Meanwhile, elite politicians in Washington who can all afford to send their own children to private schools do so while at the same time cutting funding for poor children who aspire to attend those same schools.
It's a failure of compassion and our previous president is as culpable, or moreso, as anyone. You can read why here, and you might also check out this post on restoring educational excellence.
In any case, if you're planning on becoming a teacher or are just someone concerned about American education, especially education for the poor, watch Waiting for Superman. It's well-worth the time.
