KET was recently selected as one of 14 public media stations to work with state partners to expand educator, parent and caregiver trainings and promote the use of digital media resources and hands-on learning activities from PBS KIDS.

Through the 18-month grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, CPB and PBS KIDS, KET will continue working with underserved communities to make early childhood educational resources and training available to families and educators through the Ready To Learn initiative.  

Since the Ready To Learn initiative’s inception, KET has been one of a handful of public media stations selected to participate at virtually every stage. Through this initiative, KET has sponsored dozens of family learning workshops and out-of-school experiences in many of Kentucky’s underserved communities, including Boone, Floyd, Jefferson, Kenton and Pulaski counties. KET’s education team has guided children and families as they use PBS resources that introduce our youngest learners to beginning concepts of STEM, computational thinking, world of work, social emotional learning and literacy.

“We are very proud to be part of this national project and continued investment in early childhood learning for families in Kentucky,” said Shae Hopkins, KET’s executive director and CEO. “Building on our commitment and service to our youngest citizens, this funding will help expand our highly utilized educational resources for children, families and educators.”

Through the Ready To Learn initiative, public media stations work with content producers, researchers and other partners to develop, distribute and evaluate multiplatform content to support the needs of America’s children. The content includes multiplatform series, short-form video, interactive games, mobile apps and hands-on activities from PBS KIDS programs such as Lyla in the Loop, Molly of Denali and Work It Out Wombats!

Over the next six months, an action plan will be developed in cooperation with key statewide partners. KET will collaborate with the other stations to exchange ideas and learn from one another. Upon approval of the 2024-25 statewide plan, KET will receive additional funding to implement its plan with the key partners.

About KET
KET is Kentucky’s largest classroom, where learning comes to life for more than two million people each week via television, online and mobile. Learn more about Kentucky’s preeminent public media organization at KET.org/Education, on Twitter @EducationKET and on Facebook @EducationKET.

About CPB
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private, nonprofit corporation authorized by Congress in 1967, is the steward of the federal government’s investment in public broadcasting. It helps support the operations of more than 1,500 locally managed and operated public television and radio stations nationwide. CPB is also the largest single source of funding for research, technology and program development for public radio, television, and related online services. For more information, visit cpb.org, follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn and subscribe for email updates.

About PBS KIDS 
PBS KIDS believes the world is full of possibilities, and so is every child. As the number one educational media brand for kids, PBS KIDS helps children ages 2-8 learn lessons that last a lifetime. Through media and community-based programs, PBS KIDS wants children to see themselves uniquely reflected and celebrated in lovable, diverse characters who serve as positive role models, and to explore their feelings and discover new adventures along the way. Families can stream PBS KIDS for free anytime, no subscription required. A large collection of mobile apps and pbskids.org provide accessible content that spark kids’ curiosity. PBS KIDS and local stations across the country support the entire ecosystem in which children learn and grow – including their teachers and caregivers, parents, and community – providing resources accessible anytime and anywhere. For more information, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.

About The Ready To Learn Initiative
The Ready To Learn Initiative is a cooperative agreement funded and managed by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. It supports the development of innovative educational television and digital media targeted at preschool and early elementary school children and their families. Its general goal is to promote early learning and school readiness, with a particular interest in reaching low-income children. In addition to creating television and other media products, the program supports activities intended to promote national distribution of the programming, effective educational uses of the programming, community-based outreach, and research on educational effectiveness. For more information, visit KET.org/RTL.