Smart News Blog - Smart Television Alliance

8 Top Educational Kids’ TV Shows

Smart Television Alliance — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:21:21 +0000

Sesame Street (shown on PBS)
Beakman’s World (shown on commercial TV)
Between the Lions (shown on PBS)
3-2-1 Penguins (shown on commercial TV)
Cyberchase (shown on PBS)
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (shown on commercial TV)
Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman (shown on PBS)
Teen Kids News (shown on commercial TV)

Researchers from the University of Illinois and the University of Arizona reviewed the 30 most widely aired children’s educational programs shown on commercial broadcast stations, along with 10 children’s TV shows aired on PBS.

TV Recommendations for Older Kids

Smart Television Alliance — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:17:30 +0000

Richard Kahlenberg is an educational media expert and here are a few of his weekly viewing suggestions for the week. Program listings are aligned with the state and national K-12 academic standards. See www.tvsmarts.com for complete program listings.

Monday, November 17th
9-11pm E/P
History Channel

Einstein

Albert Einstein’s revolutionary theory that turned the world upside down might have been dismissed altogether had there not been a math mistake, a cloudy sky, and the start of World War I. This Documentary tells the story of Einstein’s little-known, 15-year struggle to prove one of his most radical theories.

Wednesday, November 19th
8-9pm E/P
History Channel

Modern Marvels: The Horse

Fifty million years after the first horses walked the Earth, this documentary celebrates the animal that helped man change the world. The program goes behind-the-scenes of the 16 million dollar per year thoroughbred racing industry in Lexington , Kentucky , where investors bid more than 7 million dollars for a single yearling.

Friday, November 21st
10-11pm E/P

“IN SEARCH OF MYTHS AND HEROES: Shangri-La”

The tale of the magical valley hidden behind the Himalayas was popularized in the 1930s movie Lost Horizon, but the myth of a secret earthly paradise is much older.

Only 1 in 8 Children’s Educational TV Programs Meet High Quality Standards

Smart Television Alliance — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:01:42 +0000

A new study by Childern Now reveals substantial deficienceis in children’s educational television programming and raises serious doubts about broadcasters’ commitments to the nation’s childern. The study evaluated the quality of programs claimed as educational/informational (E/I) and found that only one of every eight E/I shows (13%) is rated “highly educational.” In contrast, almost twice as many, nearly one of every four (23%) were classified in the lowest category of “minimally educational.”

This study confirms once again that broadcasters provide little quality educational and informational televison for kids. Parents are called on again to make up the difference and seek out the good stuff that’s on TV. Use the tools we provide on our website, highlight the good shows, and Take Control of your TV!