There’s an interesting new documentary about school reform on its way, this one (called “Whatever It Takes”) about a small school and a new principal in the South Bronx. Shot during 05-06, it’s a labor of love that’s still in post-production, but it’s already won some small awards and there’s a nice trailer to look at (surf to www.whateverittakesdoc.com). Or to watch a YouTube version of the video click below.
When finished, the full-length documentary will take a hard look at both sides of the small schools debate, says director Christopher Wong, asking the tough question: “can a team of dedicated individuals, within the context of a small school, bring about educational change for talented but underprivileged students born into a community of poverty and hopelessness?”
The title may remind some of the much-admired NYT Magazine article from a few weeks ago, “What it takes to make a student,” whose author I interviewed just before this site switched over to EdWeek.org. You can check that out here.