Vergant Ed: The Producers' Project

The Producers’ Project (TPP), a not-for-profit education corporation, offers training and support programs that aim to improve and enliven the art and science of teaching, learning and testing by putting powerful tools of production, presentation and self-directed learning into the hands of high school students and staff.

During the summer of 2002, The Producers’ Project successfully completed two pilots in conjunction with schools, students, teachers and administrators from the Alterntive Superintendency’s Office of Instruction division of the N.Y.C. Department of Education. The pilot programs paired academic subject teachers with documentary filmmakers, web/technical advisors, and experts from fields related to the topics covered. Each produced an informative, academically aligned 10-15 minute documentary and a companion website. Pilot 1: Finding Your Voice in the Age of Conflict, included guest teachers from the world of journalism; Pilot 2: Looking into Space included astrophysicist guest teachers.

This semester, from October 19 - January 25, in partnership with the Alternative Superintendency’s Office of Instruction division of the N.Y.C. Department of Education, The Producers’ Project has created a two-tiered program for bringing its curriculum, teaching philosophy and tools to New York City Public School teachers and students.

• Professional Development: Through a per-session compensated series of teacher training sessions, educators receive instruction related to using documentary filmmaking techniques and web production skills to motivate and stimulate student interest in and understanding of specific academic topics. Additionally, The Producers’ Project provides educators with a curriculum overview that corresponds to the Performance Standards set by the Department of Education, as well a resource service to assist in locating and scheduling experts in academic fields corresponding with each course. The Fall program includes dedicated professional development training programs and in-classroom expert/technical training and support. For an application, please visit www.vergant.com/teacherapp.htm.
• Extra-curricular academic-based accredited courses for students: An accredited after-school program for students, supported by TPP staff assistance. Co-teachers include a documentary filmmaker and a web/technical advisor who assist the Department of Education teacher in the development of each course’s student film and companion website. For an application, please visit www.vergant.com/studentapp.htm.

The programs will integrate with New York City Performance Standards as well as New York State Learning Standards.

And for every good reason, we hope you will join us.

Wendy Dubit / Yvette DeBow
Vergant, Inc. / The Producers' Project
77 Fifth Avenue, #2C
New York, NY 10003
212/873-8158 * fax 212/873-8157
917/334-6925 @ Vergant and on Cell
wendy@vergant.com * www.vergant.com