In a controversial move that has sent shockwaves through the world of children's education, the Trump administration has officially terminated the Ready to Learn grant, a vital federal funding program that has long supported PBS Kids shows like Sesame Street and Molly of Denali. The decision, confirmed by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) on May 8, 2025, comes as part of a broader strategy by the administration to cut funding for public media, citing concerns over political bias and what they describe as "woke propaganda."
The Ready to Learn program, which provided $23 million to support educational content for children, has been a cornerstone of PBS’s programming for decades. It funded a range of beloved shows, including Reading Rainbow and Clifford the Big Red Dog, as well as newer titles such as Work It Out Wombats! and Lyla in the Loop. The abrupt termination of this grant has raised alarms among educators and parents alike, who fear the impact it will have on early childhood education.
On Tuesday, Madi Biedermann, deputy assistant secretary for communications at the Department of Education, explained that the decision to cancel the Ready to Learn grants was based on the administration's priorities. "We cancelled the Ready to Learn grants to PBS that were funding racial justice educational programming for 5-8 year-old children. This is not aligned with Administration priorities. The Trump Department of Education will prioritize funding that supports meaningful learning and improving student outcomes, not divisive ideologies and woke propaganda," Biedermann stated.
In response to the funding cuts, PBS Kids expressed serious concern. Sara DeWitt, senior vice president and general manager of PBS Kids, commented, "The decision by the Department of Education to abruptly end the Ready to Learn grant will have an immediate and profound impact on the service PBS provides to families and children across America. This decision removes a critical resource public television has used to enable us to create high-quality, educational PBS Kids content while opening up worlds of possibilities for millions of kids across the country. We will continue to fight in order to maintain our essential service."
The termination of the Ready to Learn grant follows an executive order signed by President Trump that directed federal agencies to cease funding for both NPR and PBS. This order, issued on May 1, 2025, labeled these media organizations as partisan and biased, further complicating their funding landscape. CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison expressed her disappointment, emphasizing the bipartisan support the program has historically received. "Nearly every parent has raised their kids on public broadcasting’s children’s content. For the past 30 years, Ready to Learn-funded PBS Kids content has produced measurable, real-world impacts on children’s learning," Harrison remarked.
Adding to the public outcry, a fake LinkedIn post purportedly from Elmo, the iconic character from Sesame Street, went viral, announcing that he had been laid off due to the federal budget cuts. The post humorously claimed that Elmo had worked at Sesame Street for 45 years and listed his skills, which included giving hugs and recognizing the letter E. Although the post was quickly identified as fake, it captured the public's imagination and highlighted the emotional toll these funding cuts could have on beloved characters and the children who adore them.
Despite the administration's rationale, many critics argue that cutting funding for educational programming will disproportionately affect low-income families who rely on PBS Kids for quality educational content. PBS and NPR have vowed to challenge the executive order and seek legal avenues to restore funding. PBS CEO Paula Kreger described the move as "blatantly unlawful" and stated that the organization would explore all legal and legislative options to reinstate funding.
The impact of these funding cuts extends beyond just PBS Kids programming. Experts warn that the loss of federal support could jeopardize educational resources that have been proven to enhance learning outcomes for children. The Ready to Learn grant has been particularly important in promoting early literacy and numeracy skills among young children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
As the debate over public media funding continues, the future of children's programming on PBS hangs in the balance. Advocates for public broadcasting argue that quality educational content should not be sacrificed for political agendas. The administration's cuts have sparked widespread concern among educators, parents, and advocates who believe that every child deserves access to high-quality educational resources.
In the face of these challenges, PBS and its supporters are rallying to protect the vital services they provide. The ongoing battle over funding for public media is likely to intensify in the coming months, as both sides prepare for a fight over the future of educational programming in America. As the landscape of public media shifts, one thing remains clear: the impact of these decisions will be felt for generations to come.
As the situation unfolds, public outcry and advocacy efforts may play a crucial role in shaping the future of PBS and its educational initiatives. The stakes are high, and the voices of parents, educators, and children will be essential in ensuring that public broadcasting continues to thrive in a rapidly changing media environment.
