Watch 180 Days: Hartsville

180 Days: Hartsville is a PBS documentary series that aired in 2015. The show is based in Hartsville, South Carolina, a small town where education has been a top priority for many years. The series aims to explore the challenges faced by the town's educators, students, and parents as they strive to improve academic achievement for all. The show follows the daily lives of students and teachers at two elementary schools in Hartsville, Burry Bookstore Elementary and West Hartsville Elementary, as well as the community's efforts to support the education system.

Each episode of 180 Days: Hartsville focuses on a different aspect of the education system, including curriculum development, teacher training, parent involvement, and student achievement. Throughout the series, viewers are introduced to a diverse group of educators, students, and parents who share their struggles and triumphs in trying to improve the education system.

The show's co-hosts are Pierre Brown, Simeon Alexander Carson, and Eddie Ingram, who are all African American and have backgrounds in education. Brown is a former principal and education consultant, Carson is a community organizer and educator, and Ingram is a retired school superintendent. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the show, providing insight and commentary on each episode.

The first episode of 180 Days: Hartsville introduces viewers to the two elementary schools in the town and the challenges they face in trying to provide quality education to their students. One of the primary challenges is the difference in resources between the two schools. Burry Bookstore Elementary, which serves a higher-income area, has a well-funded PTA and access to numerous resources, while West Hartsville Elementary, which serves a lower-income area, struggles to provide adequate resources for its students.

Throughout the series, viewers see the struggles that teachers and students face in trying to improve academic achievement. For example, in one episode, teachers at Burry Bookstore Elementary work to develop a curriculum that meets the needs of their diverse student population, while also ensuring that students are prepared for standardized tests. In another episode, teachers at West Hartsville Elementary struggle to keep students engaged in the classroom, despite the challenges they face outside of school.

The show also highlights the role that parents and the community play in supporting education. In one episode, parents at Burry Bookstore Elementary are shown working to raise funds to support the school's various programs, including music and art education. The community also rallies around the schools, with local businesses and organizations providing resources and support.

One of the key themes of 180 Days: Hartsville is the importance of collaboration and communication in improving the education system. Throughout the series, viewers see educators, parents, and community members working together to identify areas of improvement and develop solutions that benefit all students.

Overall, 180 Days: Hartsville is a compelling and informative documentary series that shines a light on the challenges faced by educators, students, and parents in trying to improve academic achievement in small towns across America. With a focus on collaboration and community involvement, the show offers lessons that can be applied to education systems nationwide.

180 Days: Hartsville is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (2 episodes). The series first aired on March 17, 2015.