Apple Becomes First National Underwriter of
"PTV, The Ready to Learn Service on PBS"
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 26, 1995 -- Apple Computer, Inc. and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) today announced that Apple will be the first national underwriter of "PTV, The Ready to Learn Service on PBS" with a $1.5 million grant. PTV is a school-readiness service that combines children's television programming with between-program educational messages and community-based training for parents and child-care providers.
"At Apple, we are committed to providing families and educators with the technology, activities and programs they need to allow children to work and successfully compete in an increasingly diverse and dynamic world," said Keith Fox, vice president of Apple's Worldwide Home Marketing Group. "Supporting PBS, which provides special learning services for children and communities, is a natural extension of our beliefs."
PTV Helps Children Master Skills Essential to Successful Learning
PTV, targeted to children ages 2-12, features such acclaimed series as SESAME STREET, BARNEY & FRIENDS, MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD,
READING RAINBOW, WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SANDIEGO? and THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS. Between-program educational messages feature animated vignettes and live-action videos that focus on self-esteem and learning skills children need to succeed in school and life. PTV addresses the nation's Goals 2000: Educate America Act call that all children enter school ready to learn. Preparing all children to start school "ready to learn" is one of eight educational goals scheduled for achievement by the year 2000 under the education reform act.
"One in three American children enters school unprepared to learn because they have poor language skills or lack the emotional and social development abilities needed to succeed in school," said Ervin Duggan, president of PBS. "Public television, in a unique public-private partnership with community-focused organizations like Apple, is reaching out to those children most in need to help them master the skills that are the keys to effective lifelong learning."
In addition to their programming and educational messages, PTV stations distribute activity books and other learning materials, conduct training sessions, and collaborate with local community organizations, such as YWCAs, YMCAs and Head Start, to reinforce PTV's educational content. Forty-four stations currently participate in PTV, reaching 50 million American homes. PTV will be available in all parts of the country beginning January 1996. Funding for PTV includes grants from PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and a development grant from the EON Corporation.
Apple Brings Learning Home
Apple's support of PTV is part of a larger corporate initiative, known as Bring Learning Home. This initiative is designed to extend Apple's expertise and leadership in learning beyond the classroom and into the home through increased parental involvement and the use of technology. The company's goal is to provide families with the tools they need to promote learning within the home, and to develop programs and information that will enhance parent/child interaction throughout the process.
Apple Computer, Inc., a recognized pioneer and innovator in the information industry, creates powerful solutions based on easy-to-use personal computers, servers, peripherals, software, online services and personal digital assistants. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) develops, manufactures, licenses and markets products, technologies and services for the business, education, consumer, scientific, engineering, and government markets in more than 140 countries.
PBS is a private, nonprofit corporation, owned and operated by the nation's 345 public television stations. A trusted community resource, public television uses the power of noncommercial television to enrich the lives of all Americans through quality programs and educational services that inform, inspire and delight. Public television is the number one resource for K-12 classroom programming in the country. PBS's Adult Learning Service is the world's largest source of college-level telecourses.
Apple and the Apple logo are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries. Other products or companies mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies and are used with no intent to infringe upon that trademark. PBS, PTV and the PBS logo are trademarks and service marks owned by the Public Broadcasting Service.
