Television has incredible power, the ability to teach important life lessons. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences established the Television Academy Honors in 2008 to recognize “Television with a Conscience.” “CSI” and “Glee” are among the eight programs honored this year. The list:

• CSI, “Coup De Grace”  (“One of America’s most popular dramas tackles the still important and challenging questions of race, profiling and assumptions about racial prejudice.”)

• Glee “Wheels”  (“This dynamic episode weaves three main threads together to paint a portrait of how we treat others — and how we can do it better.”)

• Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am? With Maria Shriver (HBO Documentary Films)

• Explorer: “Inside Death Row” (National Geographic Channel)

• Private Practice, “Nothing To Fear”

• Taking Chance (HBO Films)

• Unlocking Autism (Discovery Health)

• Vanguard: “The OxyContin Express” (Current TV)