For Immediate Release
What Works in Education, A New Documentary from The George Lucas Educational Foundation, to Air April 16th
SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA (April 6, 2006) -- What Works In Education, the latest documentary from The George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF), will air on San Francisco's KRON-TV (Channel 4) on Sunday, April 16 at 9:30 pm. Produced, written, and directed by GLEF senior producer, Ken Ellis, What Works looks at innovative public school programs in California, Washington, and Texas, where students are engaged in everything from tracking tiny toads with high tech gear, to learning how to save lives as emergency medical technicians.
Bay Area comedian and motivational speaker Michael Pritchard is profiled in the program's opening segment. Speaking before diverse audiences at Neil Cummins Elementary School, in Corte Madera, and Oakland's Castlemont High, Pritchard's message is simple and direct: "no matter what we teach kids, love is more important than any knowledge we give them." A champion of social-emotional learning, he feels it is time to stop, listen to their concerns, and spend time laughing with children.
At South Grand Prairie High School, in Grand Prairie, Texas, a large high school has been broken into several small career academies, creating an environment in which personal relationships are valued and where rigorous, relevant education -- inside and outside of the classroom -- is the norm for all students. Project-based learning is highlighted at a school in Waterville, Washington, where fourth-grade students, through their involvement in a nationwide project called NatureMapping, work with local farmers to map populations of tiny, horny toad lizards, honing their reading, writing, and math skills in the process.
"These programs are prime examples of how we must approach learning in the twenty-first century," said GLEF executive director Milton Chen. "They show what can be done, often with the same resources as other schools and sometimes with fewer. We recognize that for these innovations to spread, educators and parents, as well as business and community leaders, must first see them and understand them."
George Lucas and GLEF have been working for more than fifteen years to document success in public education around the country. "I strongly believe education is the single most important job the human race has," says Lucas. What Works portrays public education at its best and will inspire new ways of teaching and engaging students. What Works is hosted by award-winning education reporter Noel Cisneros. Associate producers were Amy Erin Borovoy, Diane Demée-Benoit, and Miwa Yokoyama. Editor, Karen Sutherland.
About Edutopia:
Founded in 1991 by filmmaker George Lucas, GLEF is a nonprofit organization that chronicles innovative practices in education in Edutopia magazine, on Edutopia online, in books, and on DVDs and CD-ROMs. To find out more, visit us at www.Edutopia.org.
