The School Project launches with film, website and event

Some of the biggest names in the Chicago documentary film community have come together to take a comprehensive look at the Chicago public school system, including Kartemquin Films, Media Process Group, Free Spirit Media, the Kindling Group and Siskel/Jacobs Productions. The project includes a website, multiple short films and an event series.

The first event is this evening, October 28th, at the Chicago History museum at 7PM, it will be streamed live at schoolprojectfilm.com and CANTV27. To join the conversation send in comments and questions for the panel via twitter #theschoolproject @theschoolpr.

The Chicago Sun-Times is a media partner of The School Project.

Watch the first film segment above. The film investigates Secretary of Education William Bennett’s 1987 claim that Chicago had the worst schools in the nation and asks the question why did his comment have so much staying power, and what has it meant for school reform in the last two decades?