Sue Scheff: The Lottery Film - Failures of the Public School System

The Lottery documentary will have one screening in Florida.  This follows our public school system and gives you an education of what is wrong and where improvements need to be made.  As they follow four separate students, it is an eye opening experiences.

On June 8th it is Public Education Day and a perfect day to screen this film.

Tuesday, June 8th, at 7:30pm at Muvico Hialeah 14, 780 West 49th St, Hialeah and Muvico Centro Ybor 15, Historic Ybor City, Tampa there will be a screening of The Lottery on Public Education Day.

About The Lottery film:

In a country where 58% of African American 4th graders are functionally illiterate, The Lottery uncovers the failures of the traditional public school system and reveals that hundreds of thousands of parents attempt to flee the system every year. The Lottery follows four of these families from Harlem and the Bronx who have entered their children in a charter school lottery. Out of thousands of hopefuls, only a small minority will win the chance of a better future.

The Lottery uncovers a ferocious debate surrounding the education reform movement. Interviews with politicians and educators explain not only the crisis in public education, but also why it is fixable. A call to action to avert a catastrophe in the education of American children, The Lottery makes the case that any child can succeed.

It is time people take an interest in education today. Children are our future. Education is key to having a bright future. It is time to get involved!

The Lottery follows four children through the highs and lows of a life-changing lottery, where the prize is a spot at one of New York City's best charter schools. Interviews with politicians and educators reveal a ferocious debate surrounding the future of public education.  Watch trailer.

The Lottery can be pre-ordered, click here.

Watch the trailer of The Lottery here.


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Sue Scheff: Charter Schools in Florida

In Florida parents have options for education for their children.

• Public Schools

• Private Schools

• Parochial Schools

• Montessori Schools

• Home Schooling

• Virtual Schooling

• Charter Schools

The Examiner is exploring Charter Schools in our state. In Florida Charter Schools is one of several options that parents consider for their children. Take the time to see if a Charter school is right for you and your family.

What is a Charter School?

Charter schools are non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations that have a contract or charter to provide the same educational services to students as district public schools. They are nonsectarian public schools that operate with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools.The "charters" establishing such schools are performance contracts detailing the schools’ mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success. The length of time for which charters are granted varies, but most are granted for 3-5 years.

At the end of the term, the entity granting the charter may renew the school's contract.

Charter schools are accountable to their sponsor, usually a state or local school board, to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract. The basic concept of charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for this accountability. They are accountable for both academic results and fiscal practices to several groups: the sponsor that grants them, the parents who choose them, and the public that funds them.

What is the purpose of charter schools?

The Florida Charter School Statutes require charter schools to be guided by the following principles:

* To meet high standards of student achievement while providing parents the flexibility to choose among diverse educational opportunities within the state's public school system

* To promote enhanced academic success and financial efficiency by aligning responsibility with accountability

* To provide parents with sufficient information on whether their child is reading at grade level and whether the child gains at least a year's worth of learning for every year spent in the charter school Additionally, Florida charter schools are authorized to fulfill the following purposes:

* Improve student learning and academic achievement

* Increase learning opportunities for all students, with special emphasis on low-performing students and reading

* Create new professional opportunities for teachers, including ownership of the learning program at the school site

* Encourage the use of innovative learning methods

* Require the measurement of learning outcomes, along with creating innovative measurement tools

* Provide rigorous competition within the public school district to stimulate continual improvement in all public schools

* Expand the capacity of the public school system

For more FAQ for Florida Charter Schools – visit the list of frequently asked questions including finding the nearest Charter School in your city.

For more info: Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, Florida Public Charter School 2009 Fact Sheet

Military Schools Are Opening Soon - Is Your Child a Candidate for this Excellent Academic Opportunity?

As a parent that had a son graduate a very prestigious Military School, I know the firsthand what an honor and privilege he was given. Many parents think of Military Schools as a punishment or where the “troubled” kids go - that is simply a myth. My son was accepted in accordance with his GPA as well as letters of references and interviewing with the school. It is almost as rigid as applying for some colleges. To further my opinion of Military Schools, when my son interviewed and applied to Universities, all the Admissions Directors were extremely impressed with his schooling at a Military School and was accepted to all the colleges he applied to.

Has your child mentioned military academies to you? Have they expressed an interest in attending such a school? If so, you as a parent have an obligation to listen, and more importantly to help them make the right decision.

A military school teaches various ages (middle school, high school, or both) in a manner that includes military traditions and training in military subjects. The military is a prominent force in America today, and with so much press it is very easy for a child to become exposed to this type of education as a viable option in their own lives. While this is perfectly acceptable on its own, like many of life’s choices it needs to be considered fully before a commitment is made. There are many factors that go into choosing the type of schooling that is appropriate for your child, and it is important that you and your child approach the subject together, as the both of you will have to reap the consequences of this decision in the future.

It is advisable to assess honestly the needs of your child, the requirements that will be placed upon them in a military school and what you as a parent bring to the mix. With many students the structure and positive discipline that military schools offer are very beneficial. It not only encourages them to become the best they can be, it enhances them to grow into mature respectable young men and women. Military schools and academies offer a student the opportunity to reach their highest academic potential as well as build up their self-esteem to make better choices in today’s society, within a very rigid and disciplined framework. It is this framework that forms the backbone of the military school experience, and one of the chief distinctions between military educations and those of other schools. It is important to note that this structure will suit some students more than others, and this will largely determine a child’s chances of success in a military school setting. Military schools can give your child the vision to reach their goals and dreams for their future. The high level of academics combined with small class sizes create a strong educational background from which they grow into productive, happy adults.

If you have questions for me, please visit http://www.helpyourteens.com/ - and email me.