Evening star., 1951-09-09
TV Educution-
Promise IsGreot,
But Sos the Cost
By Hugh Humphrey

By Hugh Humphrey
There were two television mile
stones last wek. Everybody knows
about the first one-the coast-to-
coast broadcast of the proceedings at
the San Francisco Conference. But
the second one passed almost UNI
noticed.
The wheels were set in motion on
an experiment. which, If successful,
could revolutionize the teaching
habits of the District and Nation.
A group of college and public
school Notwithstanding representa-
tives from the District and surround
ing sections-called on the Federal
Communications Commission to re-
serve a number of new television
channels for prospective educational
use. Prospective" is the right word
at present, for the majority Of the
group is approaching the subject with
caution. Most of them admit that
they have no concrete plans for build
ing educational TV stations. But. in
asking that the channels be set aside
now, they're putting foot in the
door to get share of TVS public
service benefits when these benefits
are proven.
The educators are tackling a big
job. The business of building and OPP
Grating television station is no shoe
string affair. After six postwar years
of experience, TV experts have fixed
price of $350,000 as the rock bottom
initial cost of the simplest broadcast
ing plant. Operation expenses can
rocket into six figures with remark
able ease. It's safe estimate that
a first-year construction and opera
ton budget will be close to the $780,.
900 mark.
No Ads, No Income @
This kind of money is sizable
hurdle even for the commercial TV
broadcaster. who knows that If he
can hang on, advertising revenue will
bring in good profit some day. In
educational television, therell be no
advertising and, therefore. no income.
It's all outgo for this type Of station.
Another major obstacle tied in with
the budget is doubt as to what tele-
vision can accomplish in education.
Most school officials-including those
in the District-aren't ready to COM
nit themselves now. They feel that
months. possibly years, of study will
be needed to prove its value. All Of
them admit that TV has great pos
hut f<NA
recent criticism of other innovations
in school construction and new meth
odS of teaching. Before they ask for
any large sum to build TV station,
they want to be sure of foreStalling
any charges of waste in spending.
This attitude is shared by District
educators.
A few groups. however, aren't so
cagey. They are convinced that recent
tests of educational TV at Iowa State
College and in the public school sys-
TENS of Philadelphia and New York
City have demonstrated that the idea
is sound. New York State is ready to
go when the FEC lifts its freeze"
on new TV station construction.
Big Plons for New York
The Empire State has made finan-
cial plans for Hesitation network
which, at a minimum, will cost
about $5.5 million, not counting a
yearly operating budget of about $2
million. In contrast to this program
is the financial outlook for the Dis
trict. Educators here are more or
less stymied at present by the $780,
600 initial outlay and the $150,000
operating cost.
The colleges. with the exception of
Maryland University, have no State
aid to help them. The school SyS-
TENS involved, besides the District,
are the Catholic parochial system
and the Arlington group. (Other
counties are expected to join the
movement soon9 Because of its de-
tendency on Congress for its budget.
the District School Board isn't able
to commit itself to any fixed amount
as its future share in the construc-
tion program
According to some sources. the
station here may be built as a co.
operative venture by the colleges.
After operation starts, the public
school systems could come in by
bearing their share of operating costs.
A few persons involved have ex-
pressed hope that one or more of
the wealthy educational foundations
might finance the first years outlay
here as an experiment to guide other
programs in the Nation. The general
idea, however. still leans toward the
cooperative plan, with a possible
foundation grant for yearly operat-
ing costs.
Any way it's figured, the process Of
raising the money probably will be
painful. And that brings up the
question: Is it worth the struggle?
Dr.. Dunhom's Answer
DR.. Frank Dunham, visual teach
ing specialist with the United States
once OF Education. says YES"
1elevlSlon, he believes, will
bring 100000 worth of the finest
literature into every classroom each
day. The material contained in such
educational programs, If assembled
into one library, would be priceless
beyond the reach of most wealthy
colleges. let alone the small schools.
Through television, the worlds great
est storehouses of knowledge can be
explored and brought to all chill
dren and adults"
DR.. Dunham sees wide-open field
IN adult education, perhaps of even
more value than that available to
the public schools and colleges. He
visualizes the day-or evening.
when the working man can study
college extension courses before his
television screen.