About LiteracyLink

LiteracyLink's goal is to provide a link for underserved and hard-to-reach adults and their teachers to quality adult basic education and GED preparation tools using technology. Combining video, the Internet, and print materials, LiteracyLink programs are relevant to the needs of the individual learner, adult instructional programs, and the workforce.

LiteracyLink accomplishes these goals by using the PBS public broadcasting infrastructure, KET agency resources, a cost-efficient state-licensing model, and the Internet to reach learners and teachers wherever they are. An original LiteracyLink partner, KET became the distributing and supporting agency for LiteracyLink services in August 2002.

LiteracyLink is a joint project of PBS Adult Learning Service, the National Center on Adult Literacy of the University of Pennsylvania, Kentucky Educational Television, and the Kentucky Department of Education. It began in July 1996 in response to the growing nationwide demand for basic skills training. The project is funded by a five-year $15 million grant from the US Department of Education through the Star Schools program.

Workplace Essential Skills and GED Connection, two integrated instructional systems combining video programs, print, and online computer technology, came out of this partnership. Both systems are stand-alone multimedia learning systems that help adult students advance toward their GED and improve those basic skills needed at the workplace. In addition, the LiteracyLink Online Management System allows teachers to coach adult learners as they work online lessons, creating the first adult literacy Distance Learning system.

About KET

The largest PBS network in America, KET is nationally known for educational services and broadcast programs. KET is widely acknowledged as the premier producer of video instruction for undereducated adults nationwide, including GED Connection and Workplace Essential Skills.

KET's Enterprise division distributes a family of 25 adult education products to adult learning centers, community colleges, correctional facilities, libraries and family literacy centers nationwide. KET's free GED 2002 Online Professional Development site is used by teachers from all fifty states in preparation for the GED 2002 Series Tests.

Wayne Godwin, Chief Operating Officer of PBS, announced the LiteracyLink transfer to KET July 17, 2002, stating, "We are extremely gratified to be able to place this vital educational service under the care of KET, one of LiteracyLink's original creators and an institution with a long and distinguished record in the field of literacy."

LiteracyLink's Workplace Essential Skills and GED Connection Series are now available to more than 87% of American households through public television broadcasts.

The National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) named Workplace Essential Skills, LiteracyLink's first instructional series, "Best of the Best" in all instructional categories and the "Best Instructional Television Series" for 2000.

To date, more than thirty-seven states have committed to providing Workplace Essential Skills and/or GED Connection videos for use in their classrooms state-wide. Seventeen states have licensed the online management system. This license allows an unlimited number of a state's teachers to use the Online Management system to facilitate and reinforce learning from Workplace Essential Skills and GED Connection lessons.

PBS LiteracyLink also seeks to provide cutting edge, and cost-efficient technology-related staff development for the adult literacy professionals, and to support instructors and program directors with timely, quality learning opportunities and tools, and virtual classrooms, where they can serve learners using the online lessons at a distance.