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Federal Grant Boosts Educational Television, Faces Fresh Scrutiny
The Department of Education’s agreement with the Public Broadcasting Service includes partial funding of several television shows designed to help children get a jump start on learning:
Dragon Tales Sesame Workshop
Two children face their fears and join in activities with the friendly natives of Dragon Land.
Clifford the Big Red Dog Scholastic Inc.
A cuddly hound and friends learn about community. Clifford was voiced by the late actor John Ritter.
Sesame Street Sesame Workshop
The educational TV classic, where Muppets and humans are still going strong in their 35th season.
Between the Lions WGBH-TV Boston, Sirius Thinking Ltd.
A family of lion puppets promotes literacy by reading bedtime stories together.
Arthur WGBH, Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc.
Based on the book series about the adventures of an 8-year-old aardvark.
Maya & Miguel Scholastic Inc.
Animated Latino twins and their bilingual pet parrot in a show stressing family and community.
Reading Rainbow GPN/Nebraska Educational Telecommunications, WNED-TV
This 22-year-old show features actor LeVar Burton and other celebrities who narrate popular children’s books.
Postcards From Buster WGBH, Marc Brown Studios, Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc.
Buster the bunny, who has asthma and is Arthur’s best friend, jets around North America and sends video “postcards” of the human friends he meets.
SOURCE: Public Broadcasting Service