Kentucky partnership works towards making sure no child is left offline
Twenty percent of Kentuckians don’t have technology as simple as a computer, a printer and an Internet connection in their homes. This leaves the children of that 20 percent out in the cold when it comes to keeping up in school.
No Child Left Offline (NCLO), a two-year-old project, is trying to help connect Kentuckians by providing refurbished computers, printers, software, and discounted Internet service, NCLO is funded through a partnership of private and public supporters.
Over 100 sixth-grade students were recently presented with refurbished computers. Tim Mosher, a NCLO supporter, and president of Kentucky Power said this of the program:
“Look at what it’s doing for these kids,” he said. “Children who once only had access to computers at school now have one at home, which gives them the same advantage other children have and boundless opportunities.”
Members of the partnership include government entities, such as Kentucky Department of Education, the Commonwealth Office of Technology, the Office of Surplus Properties, Department for Commercialization and Innovation, Kentucky Correctional Industries, and ConnectKentucky; as well as companies, including Kentucky Power, American Electric Power Foundation, Computer Associates, Lexmark, Microsoft Corporation and the University of Louisville.
Creative solutions like this are a good start to getting children in this country the equipment they need to keep up with their better-connected peers across the country and the globe.
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