Waiting for Superman: Part 3

During Waiting for Superman today, they talked a lot about the lottery system they have in place for charter schools. All the children they have focused on up until this point are trying to get into some kind of charter school, so by law, there has to be a lottery to see who gets in. I didn't know that and I know in theory this is the best possible way they can choose who is accepted, but it just seems wrong that some children who could really use a better education than what they are currently getting could get turned away just because his or her name isn't called.

I have to admit I'm waiting on pins and needles not knowing who was accepted yet. All of these children and their families are just trying to give them the best possible opportunity for a future, but it is all determined through chance.

One moment during today's viewing that really hit me was when the one mother said her daughter was unable to attend the graduation ceremony for elementary school, because the mother owed some tuition. I feel like this is just so harsh! This poor woman is trying everything she possibly can to get her daughter a great education, and she cannot be a part of ceremony that praises all her work just because her mother is having financial issues. What is the school thinking? Can't they just hold her report card? Or not give her a certificate? Is it really necessary for her to be excluded from something she rightfully earned? I have been through some financial trouble with my parents before. I have gone through times when I can't get something I asked for just because we didn't have the money. The look on my mother and father's faces when they say I can't have something because of lack of money is absolutely devestating. I couldn't even imagine the look on the little girl's mom's face when she told her she was unable to walk at her ceremony that she worked so hard for, because of money.

This seems like another example of adults doing things for the good of the adults, rather than the good of the student. I know you can't expect every student to just go through school if their parents didn't pay. But can't there be a little leniency? One parent was unable to pay for her daughter a month, so therefor she is excluded. This just doesn't seem fair to me.

Okay, tomorrow should be when I find out which students are accepted with the lottery and which didn't get in. Until then!