Education is at the core of Connecticut’s economic vitality and quality of life. However, if the quality of that education isn’t safeguarded, the caliber of the graduates that Connecticut businesses and the state economy depend upon will suffer. That’s why Connecticut Public Television (CPTV), working in conjunction with Emmy-Award winning independent producer Jennifer Boyd and the Connecticut State University System, is producing Today’s Children in Tomorrow’s World: A Town Meeting. The one-hour CPTV Original Production, hosted by Ann Baldwin, will air live from the CPTV studio on Monday, April 24 at 8 p.m. (and will be re-broadcast on Saturday, May 3 at 11:30 a.m.).

With dramatic changes in demographics, the advancement of technology and unprecedented demands of global competition, Connecticut’s long-term economic strength is in doubt. Warning signs are already visible.

• In 2002, UNICEF compared public education in 24 nations around the world. The U.S. ranked 18 out of 24.
• As recently as 40 years ago, the U.S. had the highest graduation rate in the world. Now it has the 19th highest.
• In Hartford, only 29% of all students actually graduate from high school.
• In Connecticut, only 35% of 8th graders are considered proficient in math, 37% in reading and 33% in science.

On the 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), Connecticut's overall ranking dropped from 9th to 16th in the nation on the fourth grade math test and from 20th to 29th in the nation on the eighth grade math test. Measured against their low-income peers in other states, Connecticut's low-income eighth graders ranked 49th out of 50 states, beating only the low-income students in Alabama in terms of math skills.

During the town meeting broadcast, panelists, audience members, and viewers at home are invited to join in on a critical conversation exploring the connections between effective education and a sound economy. We will look at why Connecticut has been falling behind other states and other countries in terms of educational quality, and discuss options for improvement. We will also look at how the achievement gap is affecting all Connecticut residents and explore what skills will be needed to compete in the workforce of the future.

Today's Children in Tomorrow's World: Town Meeting is a Connecting Our Communities production of CPTV, in partnership with the Connecticut State University System. Additional support is provided by Aetna.

During the broadcast, viewers can call in with comments and questions to 800-842-2788 or e-mail their comments to todayschildren@cptv.org. For information on the show, visit www.cptv.org.

CPTV is the public television affiliate of the Connecticut Public Broadcasting (CPBN). It is a locally and nationally recognized producer and presenter of quality public television programming, including UConn Women's Basketball, original documentaries and educational programming. CPTV has the distinction of providing more children's programming than any other public broadcasting station in the country.

CPBN also includes WNPR, an affiliate of National Public Radio and Public Radio International. WNPR serves more than 190,000 listeners in Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island with news and information. WNPR's award-winning, original local programs include "Where We Live" and "The Faith Middleton Show." Overall, the network brings a broad spectrum of public affairs, entertainment, sports and educational programming to its viewers, listeners and readers.