It'll be a great day when the politicians in Albany start listening to parents and their children, who are DEMANDING more charter schools in New York...

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Lottery set up for Harlem charter school

 By Art McFarland

(Harlem-WABC, March 22, 2006) - In Harlem tonight, a very important lottery drawing took place.

However, it has nothing to do with winning money. Instead, it is a chance for students to receive a spot in a new charter school opening this fall.

But of the 440 applications, there are only 155 available spots.

Education reporter Art McFarland has the story.

Because of those numbers, there was a packed church basement here in Harlem. It's not exactly the New York State Lottery, but it's right up there in importance as far as they are concerned, because their children's future is at stake.

Jeanette Darby, parent: "Kids and the charter school is a little more prepared than they are in the regular public school."

So the Darby family had their fingers crossed that their little Jeanine will be chosen for Harlem's Success Academy. Charter schools hold the promise of a good education and the kind of attention from teachers that most parents want their children to have.

Michael Darby, parent: "Public schools is always overcrowded and in charter schools they pay more attention to you and devote more and more time than they do in public schools."

By law, spaces in charter schools are decided by lottery if the demand exceeds the number of spaces available. These lotteries are not always open to TV cameras, but the Harlem Success Academy wants the bright lights of the media to shine on this lottery.

Former City Council Education Chair Eva Moskowitz will be the lead administrator at the charter school.

Moskowitz: "I think this lottery tonight, which will be standing room only, will show the public that there is incredible demand. And what's standing in the way, in my opinion, are the politicians."

In about eight days, the state will decide whether or not to lift the cap on charter schools, so there can be more.