Ready to Learn gets nearly $72 million, CPB and PBS announce

CPB and PBS just announced (Oct. 15) almost $72 million in federal grants for the Ready to Learn early childhood literacy campaign from the U.S. Department of Education. The two submitted a joint application in June in response to an RFP to fund "research, development and deployment of transmedia content to improve the math and literacy skills of children ages 2-8, especially those living in poverty," according to the announcement. The grant provides around $15 million annually from 2010 to 2015. It's the fourth Ready to Learn grant to CPB and PBS since 1995 (Current, June 6, 1994). The money will fund multiplatform content to teach literacy skills to children 2 to 8 years old. PBS will work with affiliates, children's producers, educational technologists, university and community partners and researchers on projects. The money comes through the Department of Education's Office of Innovation and Improvement.