6,000 watch Free Spirit PRO documentary on WTTW

By FSM Communications

What should we expect from public education? How can schools best serve the diverse needs of their students? How do schools reflect their neighborhoods and communities?

"Most people who are not from Chicago just look at what's on the news about Chicago...They probably feel that we're not really doing anything or that students are giving up, which is not true at all."

— GARRETT MILLER, KENWOOD ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL, CHICAGO, IL

Continuing Ed.is a yearlong, statewide series of free public programs that put parents and schools back at the center of conversations addressing these difficult questions. Working with parent organizations and local schools, Continuing Ed. forefronted the experiences of families as they navigate their local public school system – providing an honest discussion of the problems that Illinois families still face while also celebrating the inspirational work that communities and educators are managing to do in tough times.

Free Spirit PRO worked with Illinois Humanities to produce the documentary, Continuing Ed.: The Future of Public Education in Illinois. It aired on WTTW - PBS Chicago on Monday, January 22 at 10:30pm and Sunday, January 28 at 4pm. Over 6,000 viewers tuned in to the broadcasts last week. The full documentary is now available to watch online. 

Continuing Ed.  was made possible with generous support from Allstate.

"Because I live in a low income place, its hard to ask for help, to ask for the resources because there's not enough. And they are cutting, and cutting, and cutting."

— ZINYA MELERO, MOTHER OF TWO STUDENTS AT HUFF ELEMENTARY, ELGIN IL