The U.S. Department of Education has ended the federal Ready To Learn (RTL) grant program, cutting off $23 million in funding that supported educational children’s programming on PBS. The decision affects 44 public media stations across 28 states and Washington, D.C., and impacts several shows designed to help young children develop early learning and literacy skills.
The grant, which was set to run through September 2025, funded series like Molly of Denali, Work It Out Wombats!, and Lyla in the Loop. These programs were developed to meet the needs of children ages 2 to 8, especially in low-income and underserved communities.
In a letter to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the Department of Education explained the grant termination was part of a broader shift in funding priorities. The CPB, which helps distribute federal funds to public broadcasting services, said it was not given prior notice and expressed concern over the impact the decision could have on local educational resources.
Patricia Harrison, president of the CPB, emphasized the Ready To Learn program’s longstanding track record. “For more than 30 years, this initiative has helped millions of children prepare for school and life,” she said. “We hope to work with Congress and other stakeholders to keep this program alive.”
PBS has stated that the grant helped create not only television shows but also free digital games, learning apps, and classroom tools used by educators and families nationwide.
The decision to end RTL follows a recent executive order to stop all federal funding to public broadcasting networks, including NPR and PBS. The order is currently being reviewed by legal experts and has prompted concerns from educators and public media advocates about long-term effects on children’s access to high-quality educational media.
Public broadcasting leaders have indicated they will seek alternative funding sources and are considering legal options. For now, the future of several PBS Kids programs remains uncertain as stations prepare for potential programming and staffing changes.
The Ready To Learn grant was originally established in the early 1990s and has been renewed by multiple administrations. Its aim has been to help young children—especially those without access to preschool—learn foundational skills in reading, math, and science.