Documentary History Project for Youth Vol. 15 - "History of Education"
Higher Education Institutions & Government Agency DVD | $139.00
K-12 & Public Libraries DVD | $79.00
Home Video DVD License – Restrictions Apply | $20.00
Scribe Video Center Program:
The Documentary History Project for Youth (DHPY) is an annual after-school, weekend and summertime digital media production workshop for middle and high school students. Each year, youth participants create short documentary films as a way to explore some aspect of the social, political and cultural history of Philadelphia.
DHPY Students: Aziza Griggs, Johnny Dickie, Joel Kwame Johnson, Jasmine Traver, Hoskins Broaddus, Raisha Bottoms, Sylvette Mikell
Instructors: Tristan Brown, Nikki Harmon and NaOme Richardson
Film Summary:
Standardized Testing: Accurate Measure of Knowledge?
Running Time: 9:00
©2012
Produced and Edited by Aziza Griggs
Crew: Johnny Dickie, Sylvette Mickell, Jasmine Tarver
Special Thanks to: Veronica Joyner, Maya Muhammad, Zoe Smith, William Black, Rev. LeRoi Simmons, Dr. William Cutler, Nikki Harmon, NaOme Richardson, Tristan Brown, and everyone who took the SAT/ACT this year
Statistics show that African American students score the lowest as a group on standardized tests while Asian Americans score the highest. Based on this information and the structure of the test itself, are standardized tests an accurate measurement of knowledge and education? Aziza Griggs explores this question by interviewing high school students, college students, educators, and a member of upper administration at Temple University. Griggs ultimately offers her own, strong opinion on the subject, and, using these first hand accounts as support, provides a single perspective on this educational dilemma.
Building Education
Running Time: 7:08
©2012
Produced and directed by Hoskins Broaddus, Johnny Dickie
Edited by Johnny Dickie
Featuring: Adam Anderson, Bilal Farnum, Dr. William Cutler III, Francisco Zampetti, Rev. LeRoi Simmons
This film opens with the juxtaposition of Adam Anderson and Bilal Farnum. Both are currently enrolled high school students in Philadelphia, however, one attends public school and the other goes to private school. Their drastically different accounts of their school environments provide support for the films argument for the importance of the physical structure of schools. Interviews with an architect, a professor of history, and an education activist add even more layers and perspective to the documentary. In addition to this, Building Education goes further by representing the dilapidated state of Philadelphia’s public school buildings, the negative effect this has on the learning of students, and the bleak outlook for these institutions in light of the 2012 Philadelphia School District budget cuts.
Triple T: The Task of Today’s Teachers
Running Time: 11:34
©2012
Produced and Edited by Jasmine Tarver
Crew: Sylvette Mikell, NaOme Richardson, Voncile Thomas
Special Thanks: Reverend Le Roi Simmons, Cynthia Allen, Devon Sanders, Karen Sanders, Michael Hendler, Dr. Carol Marion, Dr. Lillian Green, Sandra Rushin, Niambi Thomas, Atiyah Vickers, Hudayfah Mitchell, Taqee Thomas, Voncile Thomas, Ta-Tonya Thomas, Dr. Francis Clarida, Nikki Harmon, Tristan Brown, Dr. NaOme Richardson, Wynnefield Branch Library, Main Branch Library, Swarthmore College, Black Cultural Center
In an effort to explore the complex dilemma of where children with “learning disabilities” should be placed in schools, Triple T offers the perspectives of multiple longtime educators of these children, and their parents. Opinions widely differ as to whether these labeled children should be “mainstreamed” into the school system with everyone else, or whether they should be placed with other students who have been similarly identified, and this documentary searches for an answer through personal accounts. Though no ultimate opinion is clearly given, this film offers a comprehensive account of the issue.
The Use of Technology in Modern Education
Running Time: 8:58
©2012
Produced and Directed by Joel Kwame Johnson
Featuring: Julian Saavadra, Mike Burch, Chris Lehmann
Special Thanks to: Jeremy Spry, Science Leadership Academy, KIPP West Philadelphia Charter, and The Franklin Institute
Technology serves a very important role in the school system, not only as an educational tool, but also as an important bridge in a discrepancy gap where many children are not given access to technology at home. The Use of Technology in Modern Education, highlights these positives, contrasts it to the Waldorf Method of education where technology is thought to inhibit the creative process, and builds and argument in support of technology in the classroom. Interviews with the principal of Science Leadership Academy, a school in central Philadelphia where technology is a constant presence in the classroom, a history teacher from a Philadelphia Charter School, and a director of youth programs at the Franklin Institute, are the driving forces in this documentary.
No Child Left Behind
Running Time: 6:34
©2012
Produced and Directed by Raisha Bottoms
Featuring: Dr. William Cutler III, Rev. LeRoi Simmons, Brena Waters-Goldsmith, Eric Grimes
The No Child Left Behind Act, passed in 2001, provides a standard of education for children across the United States. However, this Act, while its intentions appear truly beneficial to students on paper, in reality provide many limitations and, in fact, end up inhibiting the education of the very children it was meant to aid. This is the argument that No Child Left Behind makes, and interviews with experienced educators, historians, and the founder of AAKT concepts, a Philadelphia based company that strives to achieve a “socially just tomorrow”, further this documentary and offer an array experienced viewpoints to address the national problem.
The Divide
Running Time: 8:06
©2012
Produced and Directed by Sylvette Mikell
Featuring: Alexis Downing, Helena Ferguson, Tierra Mosley, Gregory Quarells, Dr. William Culter III, Rev. LeRoi Simmons, Daninia Jordan, Sulaiman Wood, Chris Moore
Special Thanks To: Bilal Farnum, Stephanie Coats, Brian Brecher, Chad Corbitt, Jonathan Brones
Originating during World War I, as a placement tool for incoming soldiers, standardized “aptitude” tests have long had a place in government systems. Today, their role in the college application process has greatly raised these tests’ prevalence in the lives of high school students. However, a large discrepancy between the scores of children from low income neighborhoods in comparison to those from affluent backgrounds, have led schools to rethink their educational methods. Also at fault is the inherent structure of such tests as the SAT, and The Divide attempts to challenge theses long established methods of evaluation and education. The perspectives of educators, high school students, and historians give the film further substance.
Sexuality Education
Running Time: 12:31
©2012
Unfinished
The lack of sexual education in schools is a widespread problem, especially in the Philadelphia public school education system. Its absence, or minimal presence, can be directly correlated to both high rates of STIs and pregnancies in teens. In addition to this, there is a deeply felt absence, as expressed by interviewed Philadelphia high school students and a prominent sexuality educator in the area, for any education regarding different sexual preferences and gender identities. Sexuality Education exposes this problem, shows a need for change, and offers a solution.