TV Smarts

Some broadcast and cable programs contain material included in the public school curriculum and on standardized examinations. Here are home-viewing tips:

* Today--”Kids Pick the President” (NICK 8-8:30 p.m.) Contains separate taped interviews in which children questioned Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush. Also, “Salt of the Earth” (TCM 7-9 p.m.) Based on an actual strike by Latino laborers in the Southwest with the participants themselves playing roles. In Spanish and English. And, “Astronomy” (KLCS 9-9:30 p.m.) Covers the history of astronomy and basic astrophysics, filmed in a fast-action style aimed at teenagers.

* Friday--”This Week in History” (HIST 9-10 p.m.) Hosts Josh Binswanger and Giselle Fernandez report historical events as though they were breaking news, including the Cuban missile crisis, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Al Capone’s sentencing on tax-evasion charges and the patenting of photographic film by George Eastman.

* Saturday--”BookTV” (C-SPAN2 8-9 p.m.) With less than half of America’s eligible voters expected to cast ballots next month, this interview program with Alexander Keyssar, author of “The Right to Vote: The Contested History of Democracy in the United States,” is timely and relevant.

* Sunday--”Life & Times Tonight Special: Propositions 36 and 38” (KCET 6:30-7 p.m.) Examines the pros and cons of Proposition 36, which supports treatment and probation for drug users, and Proposition 38, which offers vouchers for private-school tuition.

* Monday--”The Rockefellers” (KCET 9-10:30 p.m.) Miniseries covers the 100-year rise of a controversial American dynasty and its influence on business, labor, government, education and art. Second part airs Oct. 23. Also, “Investigative Reports” (A&E; 10-11 p.m.) Documentary titled “Young Models: Growing Up Fast” describes a vocation that recruits many young people but has many pitfalls.

* Tuesday--”Safe Passage: Voices From the Middle School” (Court 9-10 a.m.) Live broadcast features 25 middle-school students visiting Washington, D.C., in a program sponsored by the YWCA and others to discuss issues such as violence, drugs and intolerance. Al Roker and Catherine Crier anchor. A teacher’s resource guide is available at https://www.courttv.com.

* Wednesday--”Healthy Choices” (KCET 7-8 p.m.) Special edition of “Life & Times Tonight” looks at health services, including medical savings accounts and Promotores de Salud (Health Promoters), a nonprofit group that goes door to door to help people connect with preventive-care programs. Also, “Farming Technology” (HIST 1-11 p.m.) Documentary about the technology used from seed to shelf to produce our food, including computers and genetic engineering.

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Compiled by Richard Kahlenberg in consultation with Crystal J. Gips, dean of the School of Education, College of St. Rose, Albany, N.Y. Columns at http://161.35.110.226.tvsmarts.