Yet another great documentary is out (when it rains, it pours!):

Whatever It Takes, about Edward Tom, Principal at a magnet high school in the South Bronx that just graduated 84% of its first class, 77% of whom are going to college.  CBS News did a nice profile of him last fall, which I sent around – see: http://edreform.blogspot.com/2010/04/bronx-principals-tough-love-gets.html.  The documentary has been winning lots of awards at various film festivals.  I missed it on PBS last week, so I've ordered the DVD.  The 2-min trailer is here: www.whateverittakesdoc.com/trailers.html, the 11-min trailer is here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3468570315177941196#.  Here's the summary:

WHATEVER IT TAKES chronicles the struggles and triumphs of the very first year of the Bronx Center for Science & Mathematics, an innovative public high school set in NYC's South Bronx. This deeply emotional, character-driven documentary focuses on Edward Tom, the school's dynamic rookie principal, and Sharifea Baskerville, a talented but troubled ninth-grade girl.

The personal stories of this school's students and staff call to mind larger themes of school reform and the need for educators, parents, and policymakers to prioritize the transformation of the public school system so that all children can receive a quality education.

Grittily realistic, yet ultimately triumphant, WHATEVER IT TAKES paints a compelling picture of cutting-edge ideas and dedicated individuals, united in their vision to restore hope to a broken community.