[mac01021]

I don't like the lottery because it inhibits life planning. I'm not going to move near a charter school based on a 1/2 chance that my kid will get into the school. But I can shop around different zip codes, move to a house near the school in the one I choose, and know just what I'm getting.

Obviously, this might price me out of the very best zip codes, but at least in my case it still leaves many good options on the table.

The story may be quite different for someone in the bottom 50% of income. Maybe they should prefer a lottery. Maybe they do?

[ThomPete]

That's not really how it works. People don't move to the zip code many of my sons' classmates comes from Harlem, Bronx and other places (we are in Williamsburg). You don't have to move, whereas if you want to get into a specific public school you have to be zoned for it which is much harder if you want to get into the good schools. Tribecca has great public schools because it's a rich zip code.

And that's why it's puzzling to me that so many people oppose the lottery.

Success Academy was started in Harlem exactly to try and provide better schools for children even though they were born in a poor zipcode. It's a success is mostly stems from a very hardcore curriculum and the focus on work ethics and by keeping children away from their parents (often bad influence).

You are actually arguing exactly for why the lottery is a better (but not perfect) solution than zip code, it's fairer.