The District Schools Television (DSTV) network began airing in 1986 as the District’s educational station. In 1992, DSTV was formally placed under the supervision of the District of Columbia Public Schools media services/communications division. DSTV remained under the umbrella of DCPS until 2007, when it came under the auspices of Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Shortly thereafter, on March 16, 2008, the station was placed under the leadership of the District of Columbia Office of Cable Television (OCT). To coincide with DCPS’s 2009-10 school year, on August 24, 2009, DSTV was re-branded District Knowledge Network (DKN). As a joint venture supported by DCPS and OSSE, the District Knowledge Network is designed to provide multimedia resources and support to students, parents, teachers and community members.

Goals

DKN has two main goals:

1. Support DCPS in its mission to ensure that all students acquire the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to live rich and fulfilling lives as responsible, productive, and enlightened members of society.
2. Support OSSE in its mission to set high standards, provide support resources, and exercise accountability that ensures that all DC students receive a quality education.

Utilizing online and other technical resources such as video-on-demand and video conferencing, DKN empowers DCPS students and the community by refining and adding relevant instructional and life skills programming that fosters and encourages student learning and achievement, as well as promotes community wellness and lifelong learning.

Programs

New programming to premier on DKN will include:

• TV-411: This award-winning series focuses on increasing adult literacy through reading comprehension, writing, and math. The program also offers useful tips on parenting, health, and personal finance.
• CRAFTS FOR KIDS: Based on the philosophy that all children are creative, this program focuses on crafts projects for preschool and kindergarten children. Children are taught to explore and celebrate various cultures, nature, folklore, and other themes by creating craft projects using materials commonly found around the house.
• GED CONNECTION: This comprehensive multimedia series is designed to help learners prepare for the General Educational Development (GED) exam. Areas of concentration include reading, writing, social studies, science, and math.
• WORKPLACE ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Designed to help adults navigate though the workplace, this award-winning series employs companion workbooks and concentrates on four instructional strands: employment, communication and writing, reading, and math.
• GREEN MATTERS: According to this program, it’s easy being green. By exploring examples from across the world on what measures are being taken to create a healthier planet, viewers learn what they can do to reduce their own carbon footprint.
• ITS Programming: From biographies of prominent African Americans, to social studies, professional development, history, literature, and art, this series explores critical social and economic issues affecting the world today.
• REMODELING TODAY: Nationally syndicated home improvement expert Danny Lipford offers the most realistic, practical, and useful home improvement information for  novice and seasoned do-it-yourselfers.

DKN staff will continue to produce and broadcast pertinent education programs in conjunction with DCPS and the community at large, and will highlight programming produced by DCPS students.

The network will also continue to air monthly State Board of Education (SBOE) board meetings and monthly OSSE policy forums.

Tune In

DKN can be viewed on Comcast Channel 99, RCN Channel 18 and Verizon channel 12.