Public Broadcasting Initiative Has America (Ferrera) on its Side

Powerwall, Tuesday, May 3, 2011, 3:41pm (PDT)

By Nick McCarvel

In the Ferrera household, there was no cable TV for the family with six kids. So America, then called Georgina because she didn't like her first name, tuned into public broadcasting for much of her childhood.

“I wasn't watching Nickelodeon,” Ferrera told Powerwall in a phone interview yesterday. “I was watching PBS because that's what we could get and it was a huge part of my childhood. “

Today America, the star of Ugly Betty and recent guest star on The Good Wife, teamed up with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to announce a $4.4 million grant that will enable CPB to launch an initiative to combat the nation's high school drop-out rate. The initiative, American Graduate, aims to improve the nation's high school graduation rates.

“[Public broadcasting] to me is very personal. It's an enormous service to households that need this kind of initiative and this kind of programming,” the 27-year-old actress says.

A press conference this morning in D.C. confirmed that a million high schoolers drop out of school each year, leading to a predicted loss of $3 trillion in productivity costs in wages and taxes.

While CPB, which makes shows like Sesame Street available on PBS, might be famous for targeting younger audiences, President and CEO Patricia Harrison says their focus on older (middle and high school) students, has been ever-present.

RELATED: Celebs who have teamed up with the White House

“Public media has been working with middle school kids in a variety of ways for some time now,” Harrison explains to Powerwall. “And we are bringing our experience in education and stations' strong local engagement to bear on a problem that needs to be addressed immediately, for the future of this kids and our country.”

The initiative will hone in on 20 cities that they call “hubs,” places where the drop out rate has been drastic. Local public broadcasting stations will provide resources and services to curb the drop out numbers with the help of engaged community members.

“According to experts, bringing local groups together to find ways to keep students engaged in their class work is a crucial step toward finding and employing solutions,” Harrison says. “American Graduate is a community-based initiative, and participation from community members will be extremely important in identifying the reasons students drop out, helping to create solutions and, ultimately, increasing high school graduation rates. Stations will work with students, parents, educators, volunteers, civil groups, local government, business and others to take action to help students in ways that best fit their particular community.”

For America, her involvement isn't just as a Hollywood star stamping her name on a D.C. movement. It's an issue that hits close to home and one she feels passionate about.

“I come from very modest and humble beginnings. Very early on I was made aware of the importance of education and how it would be the one sure-fire way to make a better life for ourselves and to achieve the things that we dreamed of achieving,” she says.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation also has a hand in the initiative, which has involved names such as Hill Harper of CSI: NY and Wilmer Valderrama from That '70s Show. The Gates Foundation money loops in StoryCorps, a story telling non profit that will record and broadcast the trials and tribulations of teachers who work with high-risk students.

RELATED: Latino politicians on the rise

It's been a busy Washington week for Ferrera, who was part of a Latino roundtable last week that was hosted by President Obama. The group discussed immigration, the DREAM Act and other issues pressing on minorities.

Any hopes for a presidential run for America someday?

She laughs at such a suggestion. “Just for the record, I could never imagine running for president.”

But if she did, how about Sarah Palin as a running mate?

“Wow. I've never thought about that,” she says, still chuckling. “I'm sorry, I'd rather not answer that.”

While America is of few words when it comes to her future political aspirations (or lack thereof), she has lent her voice to this movement willingly.

“Educating a child is not only about them, but the generation that comes after them,” Ferrara says. “We're so open about talking about educating others around the world, but we don't always apply the same standards or tactics here at home. It's hard enough as it is as an educated person in feeling like you can make a difference I can't imagine [life] without my education.”