Doggett Secures Funding for ACC-Austin PBS Educational Media Center

Press Release

U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin), Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, announced today that he has secured $700,000 in federal appropriations for the new Austin Community College-Austin PBS Educational Media Center in a bill just signed into law by President Biden.

"This $700,000 is a smart investment in early learning because it not only supports our youngest neighbors but also their student parents/caregivers and early childhood providers, too," said Rep. Doggett. "Early learning is the foundation of lifelong learning. And this project helps ensure that proven PBS educational media is available to educators in the classrooms and usable by parents and families at home, who help continue their children's learning."

This funding will go toward allowing the new center--a product of a growing partnership between ACC and Austin PBS--to conduct direct outreach to 1,000 ACC students who are parents of young children and connect them to resources and information that can support their caregiving while bolstering their own educational journeys. Additionally, the center will deepen and expand curriculum development for ACC students in the Child Development and Education Instruction programs, creating new lesson plans and content for young learners using Austin PBS media and educational content. Specifically, the center will create digital teaching and learning modules that are reflective of the diverse needs and interests of the teachers-in-training and young learners of Central Texas, and responsive to the demand for increased quality child care access in Central Texas.

"ACC is a great partner for Austin PBS given ACC's educational offerings, the aspirations of ACC students, and our shared regional reach as public educational, cultural, and civic institutions," said Dr. Benjamin Kramer, Austin PBS Vice President of Education. "Through the Center and the combination of PBS educational media and Austin PBS's on-the-ground education team sharing best uses, we believe we can support school readiness while helping meet the rising demand for early childcare providers and educators trained in digital literacy, cultural relevance, and pedagogical practice."

"Every dollar of this investment is building a college-going culture. The reality is college looks different today, and students need support that goes beyond the classroom," says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC Chancellor. "ACC is proud to partner with Austin-PBS to bring the Educational Media Center to life. Together, we're creating a space where students can stay on track with their classes while nurturing a love for learning among their children and expanding what we're doing to prepare the teachers of tomorrow. With every family we reach, we strengthen our community."

The Center held a virtual workshop for ACC student parents and their children in February to share engaging videos and tips for safe screen time and hands-on family-fun craft tutorials developed by Austin PBS and ACC early childhood experts. Participants also received a special visit from PBS celebrity, Clifford The Big Red Dog. With this new funding, ACC and Austin PBS plan to hold similar events for parents to take full advantage of their curriculum.

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