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Kids Media Matters

Boston Kids & Family TV


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Boston Kids & Family TV offers Boston cable subscribers a line-up rich with educational and kids' programming. The daytime line-up includes Arthur, Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, Between the Lions; while the evening offers adult educational programs.

Kids Media Matters

WGBH and Boston Promote Summer reading


GET INVOLVED
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WGBH’s Kids Media Matters and the City of Boston partnered this past summer to promote reading to local children. WGBH President Jon Abbott, VP for Children’s Media and Educational Programming Brigid Sullivan, and special friend Arthur joined Mayor Tom Menino at the Tadpole Playground on Boston on July 15 to announce that WGBH will give 5,000 books to the City of Boston’s ReadBoston Storymobile Program.

Kids Media Matters

You can make a difference


LEARN MORE

Every time children watch TV or surf the Web, they are learning something. But what are they learning? Grown-ups need to shepherd children through the maze of images that may shape their minds, for better or worse.

Education

If it isn't Broken...


By Kerry Healey

There are innumerable things that need reform in Massachusetts.

THE CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW

Core Skills, Not MCAS, Turned Brockton High Around


Over 10 years, Brockton High School went from being one of the state's lowest-performing schools to one of its best. Principal Susan Szachowicz spoke with WGBH's Callie Crossley about the approach she says changed everything.
Education

One Third Of Urban Students At-Risk For Dropping Out


MORE NEWS FROM WGBH
By Sarah Birnbaum
More than one-third of Massachusetts eighth-graders who attended urban schools last academic year are at risk of not earning their high school diplomas, according to state education officials.
The Daily Dish

Soju Cocktails By Ming Tsai


These three Soju cocktails are absolutely delicious, beautiful to behold, and easy to make. The perfect sauce for your barbecues this weekend.
Education

BPS Supt. Proposes School Closures


SEE THE LIST OF CLOSURES, CHANGES
ONE THIRD OF MASS. URBAN STUDENTS RISK DROPPING OUT
By Jess Bidgood
Boston Public Schools Superintendent Carol Johnson is expected to unveil a plan that would close, merge and move schools in an effort to close a $63 million budget gap.
Education

Report: Health Care Costs Squeezing Education

By Sarah Birnbaum
A new report says hundreds of millions of dollars the state pegged for improvements to classroom education have gone instead  to health-care costs for school employees.
GREATER BOSTON

At UMass, An American DREAM On Hold


WATCH GREATER BOSTON
By Toni Waterman
Deivid Ribeiro earned a 4.0 from Cape Cod Community College and now studies physics at UMass. But unless the DREAM Act passes in the lame duck Congressional session, he -- and thousands of other undocumented students -- could face deportation.
Boston

School Closures Up For Vote; Parents Wait


MAP: HOW THE PROPOSAL WOULD AFFECT BOSTON
By Andrea Smardon
The Boston Public School Committee votes Wednesday proposal to shutter nine of Boston's schools could save up to $10 million -- but some parents and teachers say the disruption to the students wouldn't be worth the savings.
Education

BPS Votes To Close 9 Schools


MAP: AFFECTED SCHOOLS
By Andrea Smardon
Amid jeering and booing from angry parents, teachers and students, the Boston School Committee voted unanimously Wednesday night to approve superintendent Carol Johnson’s proposal to consolidate school resources through closures and mergers.
Boston

Back On His Feet, Menino Defends School Closures

By Adam Reilly
Parents are reeling from the Boston Public School Committee's controversial vote Wednesday night that will close nine schools and merge several others. Mayor Thomas M. Menino, now back on his feet after two hospital stays, is defending the move. MAP: SCHOOLS SLATED FOR CLOSURE
Education

Teachers' Union Would Link Evaluations With MCAS Scores

By Andrea Smardon
The Massachusetts Teachers' Union, the largest such union in the state, is endorsing the use of student test scores to assess teachers' performance. They unveiled their plan for the new evaluation system at a state Board of Education meeting on Tuesday. READ THE PROPOSAL
Education

Murphy: Streamline BPS Transport Costs


By WGBH News
Boston's new City Council president is calling on the Boston Public Schools to cut transportation costs.
Education

UMass Officials Hope To Pick New President Thursday


By Andrea Smardon
Officials at the University of Massachusetts are optimistic that they'll select a new president by the end of the day Thursday. They say they're looking at several serious candidates with academic backgrounds -- but they want to make sure their pick can think creatively about the budget crisis facing the university.
PHOEBE PRINCE

Suicide Aftermath Still Divides South Hadley


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Adam Reilly
The town of South Hadley is still struggling to come to terms with the death of Phoebe Prince, who took her own life one year ago Friday.
Education

New UMass President Brings Years Of Public University Experience

By Andrea Smardon
The University of Massachusetts has a new leader. The board of trustees has selected Robert Caret, the current president of Towson University, to replace departing UMass president Jack Wilson. FINANCIAL CRISIS: CARET'S FIRST TASK
Race & Ethnicity

New Exhibition Presents Race As Cultural, Not Biological


WATCH: JARED BOWEN TOURS THE EXHIBITION
By Jared Bowen
Race has existed long in our nation’s history—employed as a tool for law-making, social division and much worse. But a new show at the Museum of Science, called ‘Race: Are We So Different?’ asks us to consider why.
Boston

Boston Divided On Condoms In BPS


By Jared Bowen
A group of students is pushing for the increased availability of condoms in Boston Public Schools. Some advocates think the popularity of hyper-sexual television shows like Skins makes this a good time to step up sex ed. -- but many are opposed to condoms being available in schools.
Technology

At MIT, The Jeopardy Machine Is Personal


NOVA: THE SMARTEST MACHINE ON EARTH
By Andrea Smardon
Wednesday night is the much-anticipated final round of the quiz show Jeopardy, in which Watson, a computer, competes against the two greatest champions in the show's history.  The contest has generated a special kind of excitement at MIT.
Nature

Broken Tail: A Tiger's Last Journey


WATCH

American Experience

Jimmy Carter


WATCH
American Experience looks at Jimmy Carter's rapid ascent in politics, dramatic fall from grace and unexpected resurrection.
Education

Harvard Brings Back Early Admission


By Jess Bidgood
Students applying to Harvard College will once again have the option of knowing early whether they got in. Harvard is rebooting its early-admissions program after eliminating it in 2007 due to concerns it wasn't accessible to low-income students.
NOVA ScienceNOW

Can We Make it to Mars?


WATCH
See new space suits, foods, and rockets that may support future Mars-bound astronauts, and meet a Mars rover driver on NOVA ScienceNOW.
Education

High Scores, Participation Draw Attention To Lynn Charter School


By Andrea Smardon
On Monday, the Massachusetts Board of Education will announce its picks for the state's newest charter schools. One of them could be a KIPP school -- part of a national network of charter schools that says its already seeing results at its existing school in Lynn.
Education

16 New Charter Schools Approved For Mass.


INSIDE A LYNN CHARTER SCHOOL
By Andrea Smardon
State education officials approved plans for 16 new charter schools Monday, significantly expanding the number of charter schools in some of the state’s lowest-performing districts.
Boston

BPS School Closures Spark Civil Rights Complaint


EARLIER: BPS VOTES TO CLOSE 9 SCHOOLS
By Andrea Smardon
A coalition of lawyers and educators have filed a federal civil rights complaint against the Boston Public Schools, alleging a recent school closure plan discriminates against the city’s Black and Latino students and parents.
Nature

Birds of The Gods


WATCH
Deep in the heart of New Guinea live unimaginably spectacular birds that exist nowhere else. Watch on Nature.
NOVA

The Incredible Journey of the Butterflies


WATCH
Follow the 2,000-mile migration of monarchs to a sanctuary in the highlands of Mexico. Watch on NOVA.
Boston

Obama: Boston School Is National Reform Model


VIDEO: WATCH OBAMA'S SPEECH
By Jess Bidgood
President Obama gave an upbeat speech in Boston today, lauding TechBoston Academy for its achievements in education — and emphasizing his commitment to education investment as Congress scales up efforts to cut the nation's budget deficit.
Education

Program Aims To Get Comm. College Students To UMass


By Sarah Birnbaum
UMass Amherst is making it easier for graduates of the state’s two-year community colleges to attend and afford the four-year school. A new program unveiled Wednesday offers admission and free tuition to students with certain GPA's -- but critics say the program doesn't do enough to reduce academic fees.
The Emily Rooney Show

Pressley Defends Sexual-Assault Awareness Efforts


By Jess Bidgood
Ayanna Pressley told her own story of on-campus sexual assault in order to raise awareness about the issue. Although she's facing some hostility for doing so, the Boston City Councilor is going forward with plans to hold a hearing about what colleges and universities can do to prevent on-campus sexual assault -- and encourage victims to come forward.
Education

Lawrence Teacher Firings Ignite Debate


MORE EDUCATION: 16 NEW CHARTER SCHOOLS APPROVED FOR MASS.
By Andrea Smardon
Lawrence teachers are responding to the news that one third of their corps will not be returning to their jobs in the fall, one year after the school was termed underperforming by the state.
Education

Where You Live: Norwood


WGBH SERIES: WHERE WE LIVE
By Carl Cummings
As a Norwood watches her town's schools face down music and arts cuts, she wonders why fine arts programming is viewed as an extracurricular, rather than core, school subject.
Education

At Dorchester School, Inclusion Through Art


By Andrea Smardon
An international education conference is highlighting the work of Dorchester's William Henderson Inclusion Elementary School for its pioneering work incorporating the arts into its classrooms. WGBH's Andrea Smardon visits the school.
Education

Questions Linger As State Moves Forward With Teacher Evaluation Overhaul

By Andrea Smardon
The State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is moving forward with plans to overhaul its method for evaluating teachers, including the use of student test scores as a measure of teacher performance.
Kids Media Matters

What’s So Super about Super Why Reading Camps?


Angela Santomera, Founding Partner and Chief Creative Officer of Out of the Blue Enterprises LLC, speaks with us about Super WHY Reading Camps.
Kids Media Matters

Putting The Breaks On The “Summer Slide”



 We all look forward to the rest and relaxation of summer. It’s good to take a break, but hot, lazy summer days with nothing to do may not be the best thing for our children. 
CRIME AND JUSTICE

2 Teens Sentenced In Bullying Death Case

By The Associated Press
Two of the six teenagers charged in connection with the bullying related suicide of a Massachusetts high school sophomore have been sentenced to a year of probation. SUICIDE AFTERMATH STILL DIVIDES SOUTH HADLEY
Animals

Bears of the Last Frontier: City of Bears


WATCH
By Nature

Chris Morgan sets up camp at a remote spot in the heart of Alaskan wilderness, alongside the largest concentration of grizzlies in the world. The bears are taking advantage of the long days to feed, mate, and raise new cubs. Morgan tracks their progress as they feast on the riches of the season and re-establish the complex hierarchal social dynamics of bear society.

Animals

Bears of the Last Frontier: Arctic Wanderers - Preview


WATCH PREVIEW
By Nature

Chris Morgan travels to the far north of Alaska to observe polar bears in early November. In spring, Morgan travels to the North Slope of the Brooks Range, where grizzlies await the roaming caribou. 5/22/11

Education

Total Immersion: Assessing English-Only Education In Massachusetts


WEIGH IN: YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ENGLISH IMMERSION
By Andrea Smardon
Massachusetts voters decided in 2002 that public school teachers should speak only English in their classrooms. This week, WGBH’s Andrea Smardon investigates the impact of the ballot measure known as Question 2. I
Education

Weigh In: You Grade English Immersion

By WGBH News
Massachusetts voters decided in 2002 that public school teachers should speak only English in their classrooms. This week, WGBH’s Andrea Smardon is investigating the impact of the ballot measure known as Question 2. Now, we want to hear from parents and students who have experienced English-only education in Massachusetts. Fill out the form below to share your thoughts on English immersion. We'll publish excerpts during and after the series. 
Education

Total Immersion: Students Team Up For Dual Immersion


PT. 1: TOTAL IMMERSION
WEIGH IN: YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ENGLISH IMMERSION
By Andrea Smardon
Massachusetts’ voters decided in 2002 that public school teachers should speak only English in their classrooms. But at the Dever-McCormack K-8 School in Dorchester, teachers are bringing Spanish back into the classroom.
Education

Total Immersion: Teaching English With English


WEIGH IN: YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ENGLISH IMMERSION
By Andrea Smardon
Massachusetts voters decided in 2002 that public school teachers should speak mostly English in their classrooms. WGBH's Andrea Smardon visits Woodrow Wilson Elementary in Framingham, where the entire school is focused on the needs of English Language Learners.
U.S.

Did Conan O'Brien Give 'The Greatest Commencement Speech Ever?'



MORE NEWS
By Mark Memmott
"Whether you fear it or not, disappointment will come," he told Dartmouth College graduates. "The beauty is that through disappointment you can gain clarity; and with clarity comes conviction and true originality." He's winning raves.
Education

Three Views On English Immersion


WEIGH IN: YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ENGLISH IMMERSION
By WGBH
An education expert, a guidance counselor and a former student offer their views on English immersion. What's yours?
Education

Among Teachers, Qualified Support For Use Of MCAS In Evaluations

By Andrea Smardon
The state's Education Board has approved new regulations that use students' MCAS scores as one of criteria to evaluate teachers. It's a change many teachers welcome — but they want to make sure it's implemented alongside a series of other changes. NEW TEACHER EVALUATIONS INCLUDE MCAS SCORES
Education

Among Teachers, Qualified Support For Use Of MCAS In Evaluations


NEW TEACHER EVALUATIONS INCLUDE MCAS SCORES
By Andrea Smardon
The state's Education Board has approved new regulations that use students' MCAS scores as one of criteria to evaluate teachers. It's a change many teachers welcome — but they want to make sure it's implemented alongside a series of other changes.
Education

New Rules Ban Fried Snacks, Sugary Drinks In Mass. Schools


By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts school children will no longer be able to buy soda or chips from the vending machine. The state's Public Health Council passed new regulations banning fried food, sugary drinks and artifical sweeteners from public schools.
Classical

Supreme Court Takes Up Small Orchestras' Dilemma


LISTEN TO THE DISCUSSION
MORE FROM THE CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW
By WGBH News
A 1994 U.S. copyright law shifted many foreign artworks out of the public domain, and many musical staples became too expensive for small orchestras to perform. But now their case is before the Supreme Court.
Local Politics

Patrick Pushes In-State Tuition For Undocumented Immigrants

By Sarah Birnbaum
Gov. Deval Patrick is emphasizing his support for legislation that would allow undocumented immigrants living in Massachusetts to pay in-state tuition attend the state's public colleges and universities.
Boston

Westport Officials Work To Cleanup Toxins Found In Middle School

By Jordan Weinstein
Officials in Westport, Mass., are working to deal with unsafe levels of toxins discovered in a middle school there this week.
Science

Boston Astronauts, Scientists Reflect On NASA Shuttle


By Luke Boelitz and Jess Bidgood
Cosmic as it was, NASA's space shuttle program hit close to home for members of the Boston area’s academic and private aerospace communities.
Boston

Mass. May Apply To Waive NCLB Requirements


EARLIER: OBAMA ADMIN. TO OVERRIDE KEY PARTS OF NCLB
By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts may ask the federal government for a waiver of some of the requirements of the No Child Left Behind education law. Without the waiver, officials say a large number of Bay State schools would face sanctions.
A DECADE OF STORIES

'The Biggest Danger Is Overreacting'



SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Gary Mott
On Sept. 11, Prof. Joe Nye was the dean of the Kennedy School. Nye reflects on how he led his students that day — and the implications of the attack for the country.
Boston

An Entrepreneur, A Soldier, A Refugee: Millennials And Sept. 11



SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Jess Bidgood
It may be too early to say how Sept. 11 affected the millennial generation, who came of age in its aftermath. But it did bring change, one person at a time. Here are three stories of youths whose lives were altered because of that day.
Greater Boston

Making iPads Mandatory In The Classroom


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Jared Bowen
At the private Bancroft School in Worcester, Mass., iPads have been woven into the school's curriculum. It's a new policy this year. Students at this K-12 school are strongly encouraged to attend classes with an iPad. Next year, they'll be mandatory.
Boston

Harvard Reveals Plans For Allston Development


By Jordan Weinstein
In an open letter to Allston residents on Wednesday, leaders at Harvard University revealed the institution's vision for its vast Allston holdings whose development, stalled in 2009 following the economic downturn.
Greater Boston

Harvard University's 'Kindness Pledge'


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Toni Waterman
There's a new and controversial philosophy at Harvard University this year. All incoming students have been asked to take what has been dubbed "The Kindness Pledge." It sounds innocent enough, but the pledge is sparking debate.
INNOVATION

MIT Helps Build the Silicon Valley of Russia

By Phillip Martin
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is about to sign a historic agreement to help establish a major university in Russia—that will anchor a planned $6.6 billion town of technology, innovation and business success. SKOLKOVO INSTITUTE: A TIMELINE
MIT, FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE COLLABORATION
THE CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW

First Generation To College


MORE CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW
By WGBH News
If no one in your family has gone to college, higher education may seem like an impossible goal. Three prominent Bostonians—the first in their families to attend college— talk about their road to success.
TECHNOLOGY

Experts Warn Against Digital 'Babysitters'


THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW: CHILDREN IN A TOUCH-SCREEN WORLD
GREATER BOSTON: MANDATORY IPADS IN THE CLASSROOM
By WGBH News
Touch-screen devices and tablets can be educational for children, experts said — but parents have to be in charge.
Education

Too Many Mass. Students Unprepared For College, Officials Say


By Sarah Birnbaum
They say the problems is that too many students pass the MCAS test, graduate from high school but still can’t do basic college level reading, writing and math.
Greater Boston

President Obama Pledges Debt Relief For College Students


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Jaclyn Cashman
This week President Obama offered some much-needed relief to college graduates faced with crushing student loan debt. What could Obama’s plan mean for current college students? Here's a breakdown of the President’s latest move to fix the economy.
Education

Emerson Goes Hollywood But Rooted In Beantown


By Jordan Weinstein
Does the Hollywood sign outshine the lights of the Cutler Majestic? Emerson leader Lee Pelton said a new LA campus is an expansion — and not the start of a wholesale move west.
Education

Teachers Protest Controversial Ex-Chancellor


By Phillip Martin
Educator Michelle Rhea drew a packed house of supporters to a Boston talk — and hundreds of local teachers protesting her tactics.
Innovation Hub

Rethinking Higher Education

Innovation Hub

Four Years, Four Walls: Innovating Beyond The Classroom


By Kara Miller
As students grapple with the high costs of college, and universities work to cope with increasing demand, could a new model for higher education be on the way? Or is it already here?
LOCAL NEWS

Administration Absent From Occupy Harvard Forum


By Ibby Caputo
Attendees at an Occupy Harvard forum dissected the absence of key administrators — and a letter from university president Drew Faust that said Harvard locked its gates after students assaulted a police officer.
Education

Harvard's Vampires 101


MORE CALLIE CROSSLEY
By Will Roseliep
No, not sleepless freshmen. A new Harvard Extension course has attracted hundreds of people thirsting for knowledge about the vampire in literature and film.
Education

X Marks The Spot For MIT Online Ed


By Jordan Weinstein
The new MITx online learning platform will offer students interactive labs, discussions and the opportunity to earn MIT credentials, provost Rafael Reif said.
Education

Wilson's UMass Perks Not Unusual, Observers Say


By Sarah Birnbaum
UMass is launching a probe into the former president's sabbatical pay. However, this kind of benefit has become the norm in public higher ed.
Innovation Hub

Encore: Rethinking Higher Education

By Kara Miller
As students grapple with the high costs of college, and universities work to cope with increasing demand, how can online learning play a bigger role in the landscape of higher education?

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