Turner Learning redesigns classroom news program

CNN Student News enhancements include increased topicality, new programming, on-air redesign and a more classroom-friendly format

(CNN) -- Turner Learning Inc., the division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.) that creates commercial-free news and information content specifically for use in classrooms across the country, will re-focus its signature program, CNN Student News, to enhance its topicality and accessibility for teachers and students, it was announced today by Ronnie Gunnerson, senior vice president of corporate affairs for TBS, Inc. Beginning Monday, September 16, 2002, the company's long-running daily educational offering will debut wide-ranging enhancements, including:

Unchanged are the ground-breaking CNN Student News curriculum model, which includes an overnight broadcast that educators can record for classroom use, as well as supporting teaching tools available at www.cnnstudentnews.com; the commercial-free, cost-free format that has been Turner Learning's signature for more than a decade; its commitment to providing the highest-quality age-appropriate materials to enhance learning for students of all ages; and the continuing support and resources of TBS, Inc. and its various news and entertainment divisions.

"Educators who use Turner Learning programs tell us that they find the greatest value in content that supports their teaching on current events," said Gunnerson. "The new CNN Student News is designed to offer teachers and students an educational tool that enhances the classroom experience, broadens students' global perspective and inspires them to learn more about their world.

"The powerful combination of the daily television program, companion Web site, new CNN Presents features and a bold, new on-air look should do exactly that. We are particularly pleased to debut these enhancements as the new school year begins, and look forward to even greater support from our colleagues in the educational community."

"Our primary goal is to provide a multi-platform educational program that reflects the realities of the classroom learning experience," said Joy Rosen, vice president of business development for Turner Learning and a former elementary-school teacher.

"Presenting three relevant news stories each day ensures that educators will have meaningful content with which to teach language skills, history and the sciences," Rosen continued. "The new format is also a more usable timeframe for classroom teaching, and more attuned to the way students learn."

Educators are encouraged to set their VCRs to record the new CNN Student News segment, which will air overnight on CNN Headline News, then play it back in class later that day. Supporting curriculum and teaching tools, including one of the three daily news stories, will be available online at www.cnnstudentnews.com. Educators will also be able to sign up on the site for a daily e-mail informing them of CNN Student News segments for the coming day, with links to the curriculum and teaching tools.

In addition to its regular 8 p.m. (ET) Saturday airings, age-appropriate episodes of CNN Presents will air overnight on CNN specifically so that teachers can record them for use in the classroom. A full schedule for educational airings of CNN Presents will be posted on the Student News Web site.

Turner Learning, Inc., a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is dedicated to being the leading source of news and information for the classroom and creating educational outreach programs across the many divisions of TBS, Inc. By creating the highest-quality, most innovative programming, products and services, leveraging the wide-ranging Turner assets and creating instructional solutions valued by teachers, Turner Learning seeks to inspire youth to understand the world in which they live and become better-informed global citizens. For more information on Turner Learning offerings, educators may visit our web site at www.turnerlearning.com.