State Education Department and New York’s Public Television Stations Announce Expanded Remote Learning During Statewide School Closure

The New York State Education Department and New York’s nine public television stations announced today that expanded educational resources and “Learn-at-Home” programming is now available for all of New York’s students in response to school closings across the state. In addition, NYSED has launched a dedicated website featuring remote continuity of learning resources to provide districts and teachers with increased options.

Students from prekindergarten through 12th Grade will have access to PBS educational programming every weekday starting Monday, March 23^rd on-air. These efforts will help ensure that all students can “Learn-at-Home", whether they have a computer or broadband at home.

“As we adapt to the ever-evolving situation around COVID-19, we’re seeing heroic efforts by educators and parents to ensure that children have equitable access to home-learning,” Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said. “Our partners at PBS have once again stepped up to provide easily accessible, high-quality educational resources for New York students and I encourage educators and parents to make use of these additional resources.”

“PBS has a long history of supporting teachers, parents and, most of all, children through its excellent educational programming and we’re proud to support and recommend these resources during the unprecedented school closures,” Interim Commissioner Shannon Tahoe said. “It’s crucial that we limit learning loss during this time as much as possible and these free instruction and learning resources offer ideas and inspiration for parents and educators across the state.”

“Online learning is not an option for a lot of kids at home because they lack access to broadband or a laptop,” said Bill McColgan, Chair of the Association of Public Broadcasting Stations of New York. “That’s why we are ensuring that all kids can access this at-home learning via our free, over-the-air broadcasts.”

PBS to Broadcast Educational Content for Pre-K Through 12^th Grade

All nine public television stations in New York are providing “Learn-at-Home” enrichment for students through their broadcast stations and increased online educational resources.

Pre-K and young learners can still watch familiar shows like Sesame Street. Elementary student broadcast schedules include trusted programs like Wild Kratts, Peg + Cat, and Cyberchase. Middle school and high school programming include shows like Nova, History Detectives, and Shakespeare Uncovered. As always, many additional programs are also available to stream on the free PBS Video and PBS KIDS Video apps.

Since every PBS station in New York has multiple digital channels, programming will be available for young children (PreK to 4th Grade) and older children (5th to 12th Grade) on different digital channels. They can be viewed for free over-the-air with a television antenna or on cable.

“PBS ensures that its content is not only engaging, but aligned to state and national learning standards, so parents can feel comfortable knowing it’s going to reinforce what has been taught,” said Rachel Friedman, a Suffolk County teacher. “I am so glad that PBS is providing this so quickly in this crisis.”

Parents and educators should check local listings for their local public television stations for additional information on schedules and channel lineup. You can find your local PBS station by using the PBS Station Finder.

Local stations will also provide more specific educational information and resources developed in conjunction with local school districts, BOCES, parents, and teachers.
New York’s educators and parents can continue to access free educational resources that supplement and augment learning on the website, PBSLearningMedia.org.  PBS LearningMedia provides original digital content and supplemental viewing guides for on-air programming that assist in learning. New special collections have been created for each grade level to make it easy for parents and teachers to select appropriate content if they are new to using the service. Webinars and online support materials have already been taking place and will continue to help educators make use of PBS LearningMedia as a distance learning tool.

For more information, please visit your local station:

• WNED – Buffalo
• WXXI – Rochester
• WCNY – Syracuse
• WSKG – Binghamton
• WPBS – Watertown
• Mountain Lake PBS – Plattsburgh
• WMHT – Albany/Troy
• WNET – New York City
• WLIW – Long Island

Remote Instruction and Continuity of Learning Resources Website

NYSED’s remote Continuity of Learning Resources website is live now and includes options and examples of technology and non-technology-based resources for districts and schools, as they develop distance learning plans for students during closure due to the Novel Coronavirus.

Among many other resources, this new site features lists of digital content to enhance distance learning in a dozen subject areas including early learning, English Language Arts (ELA), Math, Physical Education, Science, Social Studies and Special Education. Educators will also find digital tools to assist in communicating with students and families and creating engaging instructional opportunities for students.

NYSED’s site also provides non-technological suggestions for schools and parents to consider when planning for continuity of learning. There are many ways students can continue learning that do not require access to a computing device.

NYSED will continue to update and add resources to this dedicated website as they become available.