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The Computers for
Louisiana's Kids (CLK, pronounced CLICK) program distributes computers
and needed technology to our state's schools. CLK classrooms teach
computer skills to middle and high school students. We train CLK
teachers, provide an online text book, and their own website
Louisiana has an unusually high degree of
child poverty with nearly one third of its children living in poverty
and close to 60% of the African American children. It also suffers from
a very high drop out rates for students. The digital divide is ever
growing here. This is a measure that combats the above by giving our
disadvantaged youth workforce training and keeping them in school.
The program puts desperately needed technology into our schools. It
also diverts tons of computer hardware from Louisiana landfills. Since
its inception in 1998 the program has grown from ten sites to 72
schools. Unfortunately, many schools were impacted and closed by the
hurricanes. We have extended the program again in these impacted areas
to help in the recovery. Schools join the program by filling out a
simple application. The requirements to join the program are having a
designated teacher that can train students to repair the equipment and
a storage location for the equipment. The schools request refurbished
computers and the CLK program delivers them.
We have our own copyright on a textbook
written by Louisiana teachers and technicians that we donate to the
schools, saving the added cost of textbooks. The CLK program also
provides the schools with practice tests and tutorial software to
prepare students and teachers for the A+ examination. The CACRC is a
Prometric Testing Center which allows us to administer the A+ test to
those studentsthat want to obtain industry certification. We also offer
training sessions to our CLK teachers during the summer months to
improve their skills in repairing computers.
After equipment is used for training and is
refurbished, a trickle down effect occurs: The CLK schools become
internal IT support for their schools as well as sending refurbished
equipment to surrounding schools.
The population served is the thousands of
Louisiana students in the CLK Computer Architecture or Computer
Electronics classes. CLK students have logged in thousands of service
hours to their schools and area communities.
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