Public television and teacher training funding may receive an extra financial boost if the Senate approves Sen. Edward Kennedy’s (D-Mass.) proposal called “Ready to Learn, Ready to Teach Act 2001.” Reminiscent of the National Endowment of the Arts, this program would increase funding for educational television by $50 million and supply area organizations such as the Boston Children’s Museum with 200 books a month to disseminate to communities. Since Congress originally created the program in 1992, it has provided money to sponsor at least six and a half hours of non-violent programming daily, including shows such as “Sesame Street” and “Reading Rainbow.”
In addition, this act would promise to provide $45 million for teaching preparation and development courses. This training would also encourage teachers to raise the academic standards for their students.
Kennedy’s proposal would help to unite both parties in Senate around a common cause. It would also fulfill President George Bush’s vision of increasing family values. Instead of condemning the television industry for their tendency to produce overly violent content, legislators should focus their energies and attention on funding the kind of programming that would counter those effects.
Because many of these public television programs make their way into classrooms and into homes of families around the country, children who comprise a large population of avid television watchers would have exposure to more enriching programming than they may find in other shows. Improving and increasing educational parents, caregivers and teachers would just help to be able to foster learning environments for children because they can turn TV time into a teaching opportunity.
Furthermore, the proposal’s increase in teacher training programs would equip schools with more highly qualified educators who would in turn provide students with better educational opportunities. Politicians tend to focus on what’s wrong with our schools, and supporting this funding expansion would give schools the tools to meet their responsibility to students and parents.
If the Senate is serious about curbing the amount of violence aired on television and promoting more educational shows, it will support this proposal and demonstrate its commitment to education of America’s children.
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