READY TO COMPETE INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE

WASHINGTON – June 2, 2010 – The Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) applauds Congressman John Yarmuth (D-KY) for introducing H.R. 5477, the Ready To Compete Act. This important legislation will leverage public television's enormous digital resources to provide Americans of all ages with broadcast and online educational tools that will enhance their ability to be competitive in the changing workforce.  

For over 40 years, public television has been a high-quality, trusted source for lifelong learning, and continues to serve local educational institutions with resources in the digital age. As demands placed on schools, teachers, parents and students increase due to stronger accountability, greater student achievement, innovation with new technologies and competitiveness in a global economy, effective partnerships are needed to help meet an increasingly diverse and media-savvy student population.  

An increased federal investment in, and support of, public television's education service initiatives will result in production of more high-quality educational digital content and services that will be delivered to more schools in more communities – helping to close the achievement gap. Public television can help provide the customized, high-quality learning experience that is necessary for each student to equip themselves to compete in a 21st century global economy.  

From Pre-K to adult education, the Ready To Compete Act presents a comprehensive array of programs dedicated to serving learners of all ages. The bill would reauthorize and expand public television's existing education programs:  

• Ready To Learn uses the power of public television's on-air and online educational content to build the reading skills of children between the ages of 2-8, especially those from low-income families; and  
   
• Ready To Teach supports the development of digital educational services and online professional development for teachers, which in turn, helps to raise student achievement and prepare students for global competitiveness.  

In addition, two new programs would be created to address the growing needs of the American educational system:  

• Ready To Achieve would authorize a national, on-demand digital media service that would allow public television stations to share their content in a central location, enhanced with lesson plans, programming and other classroom resources provided free to all teachers in all school; and
   
• Ready To Earn would authorize a new program in the Workforce Investment Act to support innovative educational digital content and services, GED preparation, adult literacy training and workforce training for adults.  

Lonna Thompson, Interim President and CEO of APTS said, "Education has been, and continues to be, at the core of the mission of public television. Local public television stations, which are some of the last locally owned and operated media outlets in this country, will now have an opportunity to expand upon this mission. APTS greatly appreciates the efforts of Congressman Yarmuth in recognizing the important role local stations play in educating communities across the country. We look forward to working with Congressman Yarmuth and Congress as this important bill moves forward through the legislative process."  

"For our country to continue to lead the global economy, we must be sure our workforce is the best trained, best educated, and most highly-prepared in the world," said Congressman Yarmuth. "This legislation uses a four-pronged approach that capitalizes on cutting edge technology to guarantee American students and workers have the resources and skills for the jobs of the future."  

Shae Hopkins, Executive Director of Kentucky Education Television said, "From preparing our youngest citizens for success in the classroom to helping adults better succeed in today's highly skilled workplace, public television has the ability to provide a full range of cutting edge tools needed for a lifetime of learning. We have seen proof of that in Kentucky. Other stations have seen proof in their respective communities. And, with Ready to Compete, we're excited to see that public television will be a key partner in delivering educational opportunities for all Americans."  

About APTS
The Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) is a nonprofit membership organization established in 1979. The mission of APTS is to conduct – in concert with member stations – advocacy, planning, research and communications activities in order to achieve strong and financially sound noncommercial television and advanced digital services for the American people. APTS provides consistent leadership and information that helps our members better accomplish their own missions and goals. APTS promotes the legislative and regulatory interests of noncommercial television stations at the national level through direct advocacy, and grasstops and grassroots campaigns designed to garner congressional support. For more information, visit www.apts.org.

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