Ford Foundation Funds Expansion of REACT to Film Educationl Programs

 

REACT to FILM (RtF) has been awarded $100,000 over the course of two years by the Ford Foundation to support expansion of its Middle and High School programming.   The expansion will include a yearlong or semester-based course curriculum on Media Literacy and Civic Engagement, as well as professional development workshops and teacher support. 

 

The Ford Foundation’s goals, to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation and advance human achievement, perfectly align with REACT to FILM’s mission of educating youth on critical social issues in the classroom through the medium of documentary film and inspiring them to commit to civic engagement.
 

RtF gives precedence to schools that serve socioeconomically disadvantaged and minority students. The majority of RtF students come from low-income families. The average percentage of RtF students who qualify for free or reduced price lunch is estimated at 80%. RtF believes that regardless of socio-economic background, all children deserve an opportunity to become active citizens in society through quality education.

 

RtF has a documentary roster comprised of 17 award-winning films on issues that are relevant and of interest to today’s youth.  Each unit aligns with the Common Core State Standards covering necessary skills such as listening, writing, public speaking, research, presentation techniques and team building.  The curriculum covers the gamut from civil rights and educational inequity to environmental policy, women’s issues, gang violence, school shootings, food agribusiness, hydraulic fracturing, and poverty.  Food Inc., Miss Representation, and The Interrupters are some of the films most popular amongst RtF’s students.  After taking the course, 87% of students surveyed felt that it is important to learn about social issues around the world.  “I want to be aware and take action as much as possible,” said Nathalie, a student at Achievement First Brooklyn High School.

 

REACT to FILM’s educational programs, including its nationwide College Action Network, have tripled in size and reach since inception in 2010, reaching over 11,000 students to date. The organization is dedicated to raising the bar in the classroom and sparking civic engagement in our youth.