Final answer:
Educational programs, such as Sesame Street, have been instrumental in combatting cultural deprivation by providing all children with access to quality educational content. These programs offer an alternative to the 1980s trend of cartoons tied to consumerism and showcase efforts to bridge educational gaps for underprivileged children.
Step-by-step explanation:
Combatting cultural deprivation with educational programming like Sesame Street has been a significant effort to bridge the educational gap for children from various socio-economic backgrounds. Sesame Street, since its launch on November 10, 1969, has represented a paradigm shift in children's television by focusing on educational content. Notably, public figures such as Michelle Obama have appeared on the show to promote healthy lifestyles and other educational initiatives.
Unlike many programs of the 1980s, which were closely tied to toy marketing strategies and emphasized consumerism, Sesame Street aimed to provide quality educational content to all children, irrespective of their economic status. Efforts such as those by the University of Chicago to encourage language development through home visits, and the integration of students from diverse economic backgrounds in preschools, show a broader commitment to narrowing the achievement gap. These strategies, along with programs like Sesame Street and Ghana's 'By the Fireside', demonstrate the potential of television as a tool for delivering educational content that is culturally sensitive and inclusive.