Washington DC Independent Film Festival 2010

For at least a generation, American public schools have been growing progressively worse. According to the U.S. Department of Education national testing, only 35% of American high school seniors are proficient in reading. And fewer than one-in-four, 23%, are proficient in math. On the global stage, America ranks last in educational effectiveness among large industrialized countries despite the highest spending per student in the world. "The Cartel" investigates what is causing this vast underachievement and what can be done to turn things around. It turns out that in many U.S. states, like New Jersey, much of the high spending never reaches the classroom. This Special Event is a Free Screening -- Courtesy of the DC Independent Film Festival & Bowdon Media.