Today’s students and communities are part of a global society. It is a society where American students compete with peers from other countries for jobs. It is in a time where schools have student bodies that speak many languages. And it includes a culture where immediate information is available—and expected—anytime, anywhere.
In this global society the nation must do more to ensure that America remains competitive in a global economy. Today, about 85 percent of all jobs are now classified as “skilled” and require some sort of education beyond high school.[i] Yet children are dropping out of school at an alarming rate of 7,000 students every school day.[ii] And businesses worry that they will not be able to fill jobs with qualified people, especially for work involving math, science, technology and engineering. Compared to other nations, the U.S. has fallen from number one to number six when looking at factors that drive productivity and competitiveness. And our nation is currently ranked 40th in the world for primary education.[iii]
States, districts and schools are working every day to ensure that all children graduate prepared for college, work and life. But, they can’t do it alone. They need partners who will ensure that the community and parents are engaged—partners that support children every step of the way. They need innovative tools to better engage children in learning and to get better results.
Public Television is that core partner in education.
But APTS members can do much more to help ensure that every child succeeds. Public Television has spent the last 40 years providing high-quality, trusted resources for lifelong learning. We have helped our youngest children come to school ready to learn and engaged parents and their communities in education. Public Television has helped teachers become more effective every day in the classroom. And stations provide high-quality educational digital content and services to schools that get results. Public Television is on the cutting edge of digital technology—we can provide resources to schools and communities when they need them.
Now is an exciting time for strengthening Public Television’s partnerships in education across communities and America.
The Ready To Compete Plan
A Wise Investment: The Effectiveness of Public Television
The tools and services provided by Public Television—both nationally and locally—are having a broad impact on learning. The following are examples of how Public Television is improving student success.
Research on Public Television’s Effectiveness in the Classroom
Young children’s learning in Mississippi improved when classrooms teachers incorporated the Between the Lions Public Television resource into their instruction. Read more about these and other results in a study of learning in the Mississippi Delta in ; a final report to Mississippi Educational Television from Mississippi State University.
With Public Television’s support, students are not only improving in math but are becoming more interested in this area of learning. Public Television resource series for math and science confirms that it positively influences children’s attitudes about math, their self-confidence in approaching math and their mathematical problem-solving ability—particularly for girls and Hispanic students.
Tools for Learning
Teachers can access lesson plans for grades K-12 on-line through . SCETV provides the in partnership with the National Teacher Training Institute (NTTI). NTTI trains master teachers in hands-on interactive methods for using television and technology in classroom instruction.
Maryland Public Television’s web site provides resources for student learning activities that support both teachers and students. The station provides resources in a variety of areas, including science. .
resource provides lesson plans that are not only fun and engaging, but aligned to standards. In this lesson , teachers are provided with a lesson plan and a student activity guide.
Professional Development that Teachers can Use
WETA in Washington, DC, provides web casts for its program. These are on-demand resources that teachers can watch for free, anytime. Here teachers can learn about best practices in teaching reading, particularly to help English language learners achieve success.
