A message from Shae Hopkins, KET’s executive director
Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012
KET believes that all children, regardless of where they live, their background, or their economic status, should have access to a quality education.
In Kentucky, with more than 27 percent of our children living in poverty and with many unable to attend a quality preschool, it is vital that ALL children continue to have access to trusted educational programs like Sesame Street, The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That, and Curious George.
These programs are carefully developed by educators to teach reading, science, math, and social skills that will help kids to be successful when they enter school. The programs our children enjoy also help them develop an early love of learning.
Educational media from KET and PBS is free and accessible on television, the internet, and on mobile devices. In fact, four of every five kids in America watch PBS KIDS programs.
As conversations continue about federal funding for educational television, we invite you to go to valuePBS.org to learn more about the vast service we provide. The federal investment in public broadcasting represents about one one-hundredth of 1 percent of the total federal budget. Eliminating PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting would not affect the federal budget deficit, but it would devastate public media and fundamentally change KET.
Educating all of Kentucky’s young minds is a wise investment, one that will pay dividends for a lifetime.
Federal Funding Update
Monday, Feb. 21, 2011
Dear Friends,
As you may be aware, on Saturday the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, which, among its cuts to the current year’s budget, eliminates federal funding for public broadcasting.
On behalf of the more than 1 million people who use KET services each week, I want to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to all who contacted members of Congress and made their voices heard on this important issue. Our leaders greatly value the input they receive from their constituents.
H.R. 1 now moves on to the Senate, and debate will continue in the coming days and weeks. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to contact Senator McConnell and Senator Paul (viewers from other states click here), to let them know where you stand on federal funding for public broadcasting.
This elimination of funding will cut the federal deficit by less than 3 ten-thousandths of one percent, but it will dramatically alter KET’s service.
Federal funding for public broadcasting makes possible:
• Early childhood education programs like Sesame Street
• Innovative, efficient, and effective learning resources for students and teachers
• Unique local programs such as Kentucky Life, Comment on Kentucky, and Jubilee
• National programs from PBS, including Nova and Frontline
As Congress continues its debate, we urge you to continue letting your Representatives and Senators know what you think.
Thank you again for your continued support.
Shae Hopkins
KET Executive Director