No Title 1241
Supplement to “Turning Old Computers into Technology Teachers”
Kentucky state park rangers and farmers are just two groups that are benefiting from programs that provide refurbished computers at low or no cost. On October 11, 2005, Governor Ernie Fletcher announced a new program, No Child Left Offline, that will donate 500 refurbished surplus computers to underprivileged 8th-grade students in Kentucky. Of the 50 states, Kentucky ranks 45th in household computer use. Nearly two-thirds of the state’s low-income 8th-graders do not have computers at home.
No Child Left Offline is a joint effort of ConnectKentucky, the Kentucky Education Cabinet, the Kentucky Finance Cabinet’s Office of Technology and Office of Surplus Properties, and the Kentucky Correctional Industries, as well as private corporations, to recycle and refurbish surplus state computers to benefit Kentucky students and their families. ConnectKentucky is a nonprofit alliance of technology-minded businesses, government entities, and universities that are committed to promoting technology information and use in Kentucky.
Student eligibility will be determined by financial need and desire to participate. Not only will the state’s families benefit, but thousands of computers will not be clogging landfills.
Partially sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission, No Child Left Offline is using computer software donated by Microsoft, security software donated by Computer Associates, and new printers and ink cartridges given by Lexmark for each of the 500 computers. The computers no longer meet the specifications needed by state government, but they will work well for students and families, offering more incentive for students to be focused on their education.
The first group of computers is being refurbished by inmates at the Blackburn Correctional Complex in Lexington, overseen by the Kentucky Correctional Industries, and will be sent to students in five, as yet to be named, eastern Kentucky counties. Plans are being made to distribute 2,000 refurbished computers statewide per year beginning in 2007 to Kentucky families.
KEYWORD EXCLUSIVE: HOW TO GET A COMPUTER OR DONATE ONE
To find ways to donate your old computer, or get one donated to you, click here: computer
To read the Kentucky Living January 2006 feature that goes along with this supplement, click here: Turning Old Computers into Technology Teachers
