Free World Media Center

You can see the documentary here:

...give it a few seconds to start:

We apologize for any viewing issues (getting hung up, etc.)  We are in the process of moving the video to a more powerful platform.

HC Schools doc. viewing issues

Some people have reported problems viewing "Choice Denied", our documentary on the Howard County Public School System's ban on transfers.  We're working on getting the documentary up on a more reliable platform, so it won't get hung up when you view it.  We apologize for any inconvenience and will keep you posted here with any updates as to the doc's URL.

Howard County schools documentary is up!

Free World Media's documentary on the Howard County Public School System's ban on student transfers is now up at Break the Matrix TV!  

The above description makes it sound a lot more dry than it is. What it's really about is the struggle of one family to have their five-year-old son transferred from the Title I school he is currently being bussed to, to one of the better elementary schools that is within walking distance of his home and that has plenty of capacity.  

In navigating a maze of red tape and rejection, this family learned some surprising things about what makes a public school system tick.  From the bizarre gerrymandering of school attendance areas, to preferential treatment for school system employees, to a policy that forces children to remain in underperforming schools, the incentives seem to be about everything but serving the needs of the children the schools were built for.

"Choice Denied: the Politics of Failure in Howard County Public Schools" challenges some fundamental beliefs about the benefits of public education -- about whose interests are served and whose are not.  

Watch it on Break the Matrix TV.  Go to:  http://www.breakthematrix.com/channels/2 , click on "On Demand" and scroll down to "Choice Denied documentary".

Let us know what you think!  e-mail us at info@freeworldmedia.org with your comments!