About 2,500 Youth In LA To Receive Free Computers
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — About 2,500 sixth grade students at four under-performing middle schools in Los Angeles will receive free computers loaded with educational software, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced Saturday.
The institutes are part of the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, a collaboration between the Los Angeles Unified School District and the city to improve the lowest performing schools.
The so-called Home Learning Centers will be provided by the national nonprofit, Computers for Youth. The computers and software are valued at about $1.5 million, according to the mayor's office.
Families will also have access to 24/7 bilingual help, desk support and free subscriptions to online educational software via an educational portal, MyHomeLearning.com.
The program is funded by a U.S. Department of Commerce grant through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program with the goal of improving student outcomes by leveraging technology to extend classroom learning to the home.
"With this extraordinary gift of hardware, software, and training, Computers for Youth is ensuring that the learning doesn't end when the final school bell rings," Mayor Villaraigosa said.
"By focusing on middle schoolers, an age range where students are most susceptible to falling behind drastically, Computers for Youth is changing the lives of some of our city's neediest students at a critical point in their education," he said. "This program has a demonstrated track record of success in accelerating student achievement and parent engagement."
Michelle Hahn, executive director of Computers for Youth Los Angeles, said the group was thrilled to be partnering with the schools.
"Mayor Villaraigosa's vision for the neediest schools is exactly what Computers for Youth is all about -- helping low-income students succeed in school by providing students, parents, and educators with innovative opportunities to extend learning beyond the school day," she said.
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