Research Finds Public Television Educates America Far Beyond the Broadcast

Research Finds Public Television Educates America Far Beyond the Broadcast

Forty Years after the Signing of the Public Broadcasting Act, Public Television Stations are a Trusted Source for Educating America

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) today released the results of a comprehensive survey of public television stations undertaken by SRI International. The study reveals that more than 84 percent of the stations are providing educational services directly to their communities.

These services, which extend beyond the broadcast, range from special in-person reading programs for parents and childcare providers; to professional development resources for teachers; to online activities designed to spark student learning in subjects such as science and math.

"This report tells an exciting story about public television's educational services and the myriad ways in which the stations work with their communities," said Pat Harrison, President and CEO of CPB. "Education continues to be a core value of the public broadcasting community and is an essential component of CPB's mission to 'provide programs and services which inform, enlighten and enrich the public.' Public media is a trusted and essential source in creating informed and educated citizens."

The survey collected information from 165 public television licensees (representing over 300 stations) across the country. It focused on the off-air educational services that the stations provide to their communities, which often go unheralded. The survey challenged stations to describe their education programs, audiences, technology and how they evaluate the implementation and impact of their important education-related work.

Education Survey Highlights Include:

-- Education is a core mission for public television stations.

-- Public television stations provide education services tailored to the diverse needs of the communities they serve.

-- Partnerships with local schools, universities, museums, libraries and community organizations increase the reach and impact of public television's education services.

-- Public television is a critical resource for early childhood development.

-- Public television is a resource for K-12 educators and helps increase student learning.

-- Public television stations have a long history of working with universities.

-- Public television stations provide high-value content.

-- Public television stations use technology to create and broadly distribute education services.

-- Public television's education services continue to evolve within a culture of continuous improvement.

-- For public television, demonstrating impact is important.

Survey findings point to the significant work being accomplished in communities across the nation. It also demonstrates that public television continues to educate its diverse audiences by providing thoughtful, relevant and engaging content, with stations implementing a wide variety of programs and services and building strategic partnerships in their local communities.

To read the entire report, please go to

http://www.cpb.org/aboutpb/education/services2008/

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Corporation for Public Broadcasting

CONTACT: Louise Filkins of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,
+1-202-879-9759

Web Site:

http://www.cpb.org/

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