Windows on Conversions was conceived as a way to provide vivid images of the promising practices and challenges facing comprehensive high schools as they convert to small schools and small learning communities. Produced by Stanford University's School Redesign Network (SRN) and award-winning documentary filmmakers, Actual Films, Windows on Conversions illustrates both the truly difficult work of converting existing schools into radically different types of learning environments as well as the promising outcomes this work can produce.

Windows on Conversions provides visual and print materials on four schools representing a variety of geographic locations, student populations and redesign approaches. The schools are:

• Clover Park High School, Lakewood, WA

• Hillsdale High School, San Mateo, CA

• Noble High School, North Berwick, ME

• The School of the Arts at South Shore Multiplex, Chicago, IL

While all of these schools are still in the process of implementing reform, collectively they represent many aspects of what leading researchers consider to be critical organizational and instructional changes that help all students succeed at high levels. These schools have developed thoughtful mod­els of conversion and can be used as existence proofs for examining schools that have engaged in successful conversion processes.

The Windows on Conversions kit consists of:

• Written cases on each of the featured high schools, detailing the schools’ varied approaches to the conversions process, implementation of structural and instructional changes and early outcomes.

• A DVD providing vivid images of the redesign stories of each of the four schools.

• A facilitators guide designed for school coaches that enables users to watch key segments of the films thematically, by such topics as the change process, teacher collabora­tion, instruction and performance-based assessment.

Windows on Conversions is a learning tool of Stanford University's School Redesign Network, a learning collaborative working with school leaders to redesign large schools into smaller, more effective learning communities. SRN is supported by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For more information, visit http://schoolredesign.net.