The Trump administration has just terminated the Ready To Learn grant, cutting $23 million in funding that supported educational children’s programming on PBS and local public media stations.

This grant helped create and sustain iconic shows like Sesame Street, Reading Rainbow, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and many others — trusted programs that have helped millions of kids learn to read, count, grow, and understand the world around them.

Now, that funding is gone — with no plan to replace it.

The Department of Education claims the decision is about “prioritizing learning,” but the reality is this: they’re defunding education that reaches millions of families, especially those who can’t afford private educational tools. Many of these shows are lifelines for children in under-resourced communities.

We call on the Department of Education and members of Congress to restore the $23 million in funding for the Ready To Learn grant.

Protect PBS and public broadcasters from politically motivated attacks.
Stand up for trusted, research-backed educational content for children.