MAKING SCHOOLS WORK with Hedrick Smith

Originally broadcast live on Thursday, September 29, 2005

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Some American communities are creating an important but largely unnoticed revolution in public education - turning around problem schools and dramatically improving achievement among disadvantaged students many had given up on. These success stories, affecting roughly two million students from elementary to high school, are shown on MAKING SCHOOLS WORK with Hedrick Smith and have major implications for public education nationwide.

The panel discussion gives a sneak preview of the forthcoming PBS Program of Note MAKING SCHOOLS WORK with Hedrick Smith. Moderated by Hedrick Smith, it will feature education reformers, principals and students, including:

Reynaldo Garcia
Student, KIPP 3D Academy, Houston
Reynaldo Garcia was 16 years old and in 8th grade at KIPP 3D Academy. Before he came to KIPP, Rey had been held back twice. But KIPP's structured atmosphere has lured Rey away from the gang culture of the tough neighborhood where he lives and sparked his interest in learning.

Maurice Harvey
Principal, Jordan Community School, Chicago
Maurice Harvey is the first and only principal of Jordan Community School, which opened in 1993 in the Rogers Park section on Chicago's north side. Trying to cope with violence and ethnic tensions in the school, Harvey adopted the Comer Process. As his school was transformed, Harvey learned lessons of his own. He has changed from a dictatorial principal to one who shares power.

Kati Haycock
Director, The Education Trust, Washington D.C.
Kati Haycock is one of the nation's leading child advocates in the field of education. She currently serves as director of The Education Trust, which was established in 1990 by the American Association for Higher Education to do what is right for young people, especially those who are poor or members of minority groups. The Trust also provides hands-on assistance to urban school districts and universities that want to work together to improve student achievement, kindergarten through college.

Robert Slavin
Co-Founder, Success for All
Robert Slavin is the Chairman of the Success for All Foundation and Director of the Center for Data-Driven Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University. Slavin is, with Nancy Madden, the driving force behind Success for All's creation and ongoing research. He is the author or co-author of 21 books and more than 200 articles on such topics as cooperative learning, school organization, and effective programs for students at risk.

Eric Smith
Superintendent, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, 1996-2002, Charlotte, N.C.
Eric Smith brought successful reform to a district marked by disturbing racial inequalities. Smith provided centrally controlled, data-driven structure and support to all Charlotte schools. He based his reform around high-expectations for all students and placed a strong emphasis on equity - allocating resources to schools based on the particular needs and challenges of kids at each school.

Principal funding: Ford Foundation. Major funding: The Broad Foundation and Carnegie Corporation of New York. Additional funding: The Spencer Foundation.