The Lottery

"You could win an education"

May 7 2010 Not Rated 1h 21m
Documentary, Drama, News

Four children enter a high-stakes lottery. If they win, they can attend one of the best schools in New York. A look at the crisis in public education, The Lottery makes the case than any child can succeed.

Plot

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.

Written by

N/A

Directed by

Madeleine Sackler

Production Countries

United States of America

Languages

English

Awards

1 nomination

Scores
# of Votes
596
Average Rating
7 out of 10
Metascore
72
Popularity
NA