PHILADELPHIA — The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education has produced “Freedom School,” a film that will air on WHYY-TV on Feb. 17 at 8:30 p.m. This 26-minute documentary chronicles a summer reading and writing program for children at Shaw Middle School in West Philadelphia.

“Freedom School” tells the story of a team of educators, including Penn GSE faculty, doctoral students and volunteers, who work to create a love of learning and establish self-esteem in children in West Philadelphia.

The film features two GSE doctoral students, Valerie Adams and Chonika Coleman, leading the team of undergraduate student volunteers from various universities who serve as teachers and work directly with middle-school-aged children. It also showcases the leadership of Penn GSE’s faculty members, including Howard Stevenson and Diana Slaughter DeFoe.

Produced by GSE’s Dean Andrew Porter, Vice Dean Doug Lynch and DeFoe and directed by Amitanshu Das, “Freedom School” demonstrates how a university can provide support and resources to nearby communities with socio-economic problems.

There will be a film screening at the 31st Annual Ethnography in Education Research Forum on Feb. 27 at Penn GSE. Other airdates and times are available at http://www.whyy.org/tv12/schedule.html.