​from APTS GOVERNMENT RELATIONS UPDATE -- DEC 11, 2015
Ready to Learn and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

On Thursday, December 10, 2015, President Obama signed "The Every Student Succeeds Act" (S.1177) into law.  This reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) by replacing the "No Child Left Behind" law and preserving "Ready to Learn" which is a grant program that helps fund public television's highly researched and proven effective early education content.

On December 9, 2015, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the conference report by a vote of 85-12, after the U.S. House of Representatives supported it by a vote of 359 to 64.  

"Ready To Learn" is preserved in law as part of a national activities account that authorizes funding for several programs that have a broad impact.  This is a huge victory for public television and culminates over a year of concerted efforts on the part of APTS, member stations, the APTS Leadership Council, Protect My Public Media and PBS.  

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