Ready to Learn (grant program)

meeting Theo from Between the Lions In order for a program to be included in the Ready to Learn (RTL) programming block, the program was required to incorporate detailed curriculum goals that highlight either socio-emotional goals, academic goals, or both. The program creators were also required to provide a formative and summative research plan. == History ==

Inception In 1991, the then-president of The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Ernest Boyer, created a report titled "Ready To Learn: A Mandate for the Nation." PBS also started unveiling community and parent programs aimed at continuing a child's learning outside of the TV. 2005–2015 During this time the curriculum focus shifted to literacy. On a federal level, the Ready-To-Learn program began ramping up its initiative on researching children's learning methods through media. == Reception ==

Critical reception A journal article in 2020 found that Ready-To-Learn programs boosted kids’ reading skills. Kids from low-income backgrounds were also seen making the greatest improvement. Cord Cutters News described PBS Kids Ready-To-Learn programs as ones that offer "great educational features and learning resources." Dana Anderson of Common Sense Media described the PBS Kids website to have a high educational value. She wrote, "Kids can practice a large variety of topics from letters, numbers, and logic to how to identify and talk about feelings." Other networks' response Partly due to the positive response and impact of Ready-To-Learn, in 1994 Nickelodeon invested $60 million and six hours a day in Nick Jr., a channel within Nickelodeon providing educational programming for preschoolers. == Impact ==

Through RTL, PBS stations worked with local partners to provide research-driven content to low-income communities, supporting children's skill development. The main goal of the project was to expand the RTL initiative into local communities across the country, providing access to learning resources. In 2019, new Learning Neighborhoods provided enhanced learning resources to communities in Pittsburgh, Austin, Detroit, New York City, Madison, Anchorage, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Birmingham, Tallahassee, Lexington, and Owings Mills. == References ==