In 180 Days: Hartsville viewers will experience a year (2013-2014) in the life of two elementary schools and one Southern rural town’s efforts to address systemically the root causes of inequality. Though Hartsville, South Carolina is a small town, far from big city “drop out factories,” its 7,500 residents must still contend with the urgent demand for reform in American public schools.
In this program we see that Hartsville is clearly trying to get this balance right. The engagement of teachers with students and with each other, the efforts to include parents and the community all signal caring. Further, a local Fortune 500 company’s financial investment communicates how seriously change is being addressed. But what stands out most in 180 Days: Hartsville is the caring dedication of everyone – from the superintendent to the principals to the teachers and the parents.
As part of ETV’s community outreach ETV will broadcast After 180 Days: Hartsville, a panel discussion program immediately following the national program. The panel will explore in more detail the vision for Hartsville, how Sonoco Products Company is making a difference, and how other school districts can learn from the Hartsville experience as well as look at recent developments in statewide public policy and education issues that need to come together to transform education in our state.
180 Days: Hartsville premieres on ETV March 17, 8:00-10:00 pm. (part 1 at 8 pm; part 2 at 9 pm), followed by the panel discussion from 10:00-11:00 pm.
The documentary and follow-up program repeat March 19 beginning at 7:00 p.m. on ETV, March 21 at 2:00 p.m. on ETV World and March 23 at 8:00 p.m. on the SC Channel. Go to the ETV schedule searchable site and search for "Hartsville" for all broadcast times: www.scetv.org/tvschedule.
