Big Bird and Cookie Monster have schooled preschoolers via television in homes for 44 years, but this September, they’re 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.
“The partnership with Sesame Workshop will help the Success for All Foundation add to the effectiveness and appeal of its early childhood approaches,” said Robert Slavin, chairman of the Success for All Foundation and professor at The , in a statement.
Sesame Street’s television content will be presented in class and daily at home through the program’s Home Links effort, which aims to have children engage with their parents to reinforce knowledge.
“In addition to extending children’s time on essential content,” Slavin said. “Home Links will make parents aware of what their children are doing in school every day, so they can support their success. Sesame Street’s unique appeal to parents and children will make learning a positive part of every family’s day. Parents and kids will watch together, read together and dance together.”
The partnership will take place in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County, Md., New Orleans, Steubenville, Ohio, Bessemer, Ala., Corbin and Barbourville, Ky.