WIDENING SESAME STREET

This paper traces the developmental history of Sesame Street from the initial efforts to obtain funding and set goals to present day importation of programs to other countries. The author argues that while the original objectives were necessary and appropriate for the late 1960's, a revised approach is called for now. Specifically, Sesame Street producers should answer critics who point to research findings which show Sesame Street to be ineffectual in producing significant learning gains and in narrowing the academic achievement gap between advantaged and disadvantaged children. It is recommended that Sesame Street producers incorporate Piagetian theories on cognitive development in order to realize learning gains.