Big Bird and Cookie Monster have schooled preschoolers via television in homes for 44 years, but this September, they鈥檙e working in actual classrooms on a daily basis.
, the educational New York-based nonprofit which created the beloved characters, has partnered with , a whole-school reform model, to launch a pilot targeting disadvantaged four-year-olds in five states.
鈥淭he partnership with Sesame Workshop will help the Success for All Foundation add to the effectiveness and appeal of its early childhood approaches,鈥� said Robert Slavin, chairman of the Success for All Foundation and professor at The , in a statement.
Sesame Street鈥檚 television content will be presented in class and daily at home through the program鈥檚 Home Links effort, which aims to have children engage with their parents to reinforce knowledge.
鈥淚n addition to extending children鈥檚 time on essential content,鈥� Slavin said. 鈥淗ome Links will make parents aware of what their children are doing in school every day, so they can support their success. Sesame Street鈥檚 unique appeal to parents and children will make learning a positive part of every family鈥檚 day. Parents and kids will watch together, read together and dance together.鈥�
The partnership will take place in Baltimore City and Prince George鈥檚 County, Md., New Orleans, Steubenville, Ohio, Bessemer, Ala., Corbin and Barbourville, Ky.