Funds from a national initiative are allowing NET to expand school readiness projects in selected Nebraska communities, with a focus on math and literacy.

NET is one of 21 public television stations across the country to receive funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting as part of the Ready To Learn Initiative. NET will work with partners including the Nebraska Department of Education to improve math and literacy skills in Nebraska children ages 2-8.

NET will collaborate with community-based educational partners serving children in school, after school and throughout the summer. It will also provide training to local educators on how to use Ready to Learn content and to parents on how to engage their children in math and literacy activities at home. NET and its partners will continue to expand community initiatives in Fremont and Auburn, which were initially launched in 2013, as well as to identify at least two additional communities with the support of the Ready To Learn Initiative award.

“Research shows that early learning can help children succeed in school and in life, and the need is even greater for kids from low-income families,” said Gary Targoff, NET’s assistant general manager of education. “With the additional funding from the Ready To Learn initiative, NET can extend resources to help families support early math and literacy learning for Nebraska’s youngest learners.”

The Ready To Learn Initiative is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and Congress to address this critical school readiness issue, particularly in low-income communities.

For more information, go to http://netnebraska.org/readytolearn.