Event

178 Days Confronting a History of Failure

2010 the federal government identified Stewart Middle School as a failing schools-in the bottom 5 percent in Washington State. After four years and nearly $7 million in federal improvement funds, Stewart's student performance got worse. It fell into the bottom 1 percent of schools in the state. The State of Washington gave Tacoma one school year to show improvement or the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction threatened to take over operations.

The 52-minute documentary follows Principal Edmond, his staff and students on their one-year journey-to success or failure-viewers will feel the tension and toll of the effort.

Panelist:
Zeek Edmond, Principal, Stewart Middle School
Carla Santorno, Superintendent, Tacoma Public Schools
Michael Joshua, Math Teacher, Stewart Middle School
Casey Madison, Videographer (178 Days filmmaker), Tacoma Public Schools

Moderator:
Dan Voelpel, Executive Communications Director, Tacoma Public Schools