Introduction

Great schools don’t happen by accident. They happen by design. This nine-part workshop series examines New American Schools, a leader in the growing national movement known as "comprehensive school reform," and its Design Teams, which each bring a unique vision to helping schools raise the achievement of all students. The workshops will explore the approach of each Design Team and the support to educators and communities each provides by taking viewers inside schools using the models. Segments will also document New American Schools’ advocacy of reform that addresses all core subjects, all grades, and all school resources — human, financial, and technological, as well as leadership that school districts can provide to schools undertaking this kind of comprehensive reform.