SRN LEADS/Stanford University: School Redesign Network — Leadership, Equity & Accountability in Districts & Schools

windows on conversions

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Windows on Conversions: A Multi-Media Exploration of Redesign at Four Comprehensive High Schools is an up-close and vivid examination of successful school redesign. Learn about the conversion process from the frontlines, reported in the voices of teachers, administrators, parents and students who are successfully transforming their schools through compelling DVD-formatted documentaries and written case studies that look at four very different schools from across the country: Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, CA; the School of the Arts at South Shore Multiplex in Chicago, IL; Noble High School in North Berwick, ME; and Clover Park High School in Lakewood, WA.

Product Details

A virtual tour of successful high school redesign

Windows on Conversions: A Multi-Media Exploration of Redesign at Four Comprehensive High Schools, is an essential tool for anyone engaged in or considering school redesign. In a vivid and engaging format, the study kit gives the user an up-close look at the promising practices of four comprehensive high schools from around the country that have been redesigned into small schools and small learning communities.

The schools are:

• Hillsdale High School, San Mateo, CA
• The School of the Arts at South Shore Multiplex, Chicago, IL
• Noble High School, North Berwick, ME
• Clover Park High School, Lakewood, WA

The next best thing to an actual school tour, Windows on Conversions enables users to see classrooms in action, hear from teachers and administrators and organize professional development activities thematically, through:

• An interactive DVD created in collaboration with award-winning documentary filmmakers, Actual Films, which includes:
  ~ An introduction by Stanford University Professor of Education Linda Darling-Hammond
  ~ Four compelling documentary films of the redesign stories of each school
  ~ Overviews of the varied design features of each school
  ~ A facilitators guide supporting thematic use of the film for professional development
  

• Written case studies of the four high schools detailing the schools' varied approaches to the conversions process, implementation of structural and instructional changes and early outcomes

Windows on Conversions provides vivid images of the promising practices and challenges facing comprehensive high schools as they convert to small schools and small learning communities, illustrating both the truly difficult work of converting existing schools into radically different types of learning environments as well as the promising outcomes this work can produce.

Reviewer Comments

Very well done. It's a good set in all and provokes a lot of possible discussion. With authentic footage throughout, the film delivers some important themes about school redesign and instruction: the democratic involvement of all parties, the reminder that school redesign takes time, and the question of what teachers have to do/think before they can usefully embark on a complex and serious "revolution."

Among the films are wonderful scenes about teaming; the power of collaboration and the dilemmas of leadership; the importance of democratic involvement and the concept of starting with strengths, not remediation.

— Deborah Meier Educational Reformer, Writer and Activist

The Windows on Conversions product presents a compelling vision of what's possible in high schools. It includes compelling stories of change that are detailed and that include the voices of students and adults that have made these changes possible. It's about real schools and real students and provides a powerful picture of the possibilities for educating youth. This product can be used to begin a schoolwide conversation on the value of personalizing the learning in high schools.

— Joe DiMartino, President Center for Secondary School Redesign, Inc.

Windows on Conversions shows a diversity of conversion processes, school districts and student populations. I like the inclusion of conversations about some of the stumbling blocks/difficulties of both implementing and sustaining the conversions.

— Janice Ollarvia NASSP Distinguished Principal for Secondary School Reform

The films give very clear descriptions and testimony of the organization changes from a big comprehensive high school into small learning communities, the structures and components of the SLCs, and the importance and role of relationships. Student and teacher/administrator voices are strong and authentic. I am going to use the dvd with coaches I work with and at several schools we are working with on conversions.

— Jacqueline Ancess, Co-Director, NCREST Teachers College, Columbia University

This product is an excellent piece for school sites that are just beginning the redesign process. It provides an excellent overview for communities or boards of education considering improvement efforts and could also act as an introduction to a student series on school redesign.

— Deborah Howard, Program Director KnowledgeWorks

The DVD is great. It is "educator friendly" and easy to use. The case studies highlight some solid examples of HS renewal. It's innovative and modern. I think it is a great tool.

— Matthew Malone, Superintendent, Swampscott School District