According to the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP), poverty continues to affect children in cities around the country. Children living in areas from Detroit to Atlanta, Baltimore to D.C., Cleveland, Philadelphia and others are all living in areas where the poverty rate is substantially higher than the national average. With education at risk for these kids, President Obama has offered a solution -- free eBooks to low-income kids.
His $250 million dollar plan
The President's initiative, called ConnectED, includes a commitment from major publishers of over $250 million in free eBooks available to low-income children. The President's goal is "to help lift up those communities and give those kids opportunity." The program's intent is to not let poverty stand in the way of access to books, knowledge and education. Access to eBooks would be provided through an e-reader app being developed at the New York Public Library.
What about poor kids who don't have access to the internet?
Of course, one problem is that low-income kids often cannot afford the Internet or mobile devices. What then? The program has already considered this and is working with libraries in several communities to step up efforts to get library cards for low-income children. Libraries can give these children access to the Internet, and books.
Others who are helping
Major corporations are joining the effort. Apple recently pledged $100 million in iPads, desktop and laptop computers, and other educational tools to help President Obama's ConnectED program. Others hopefully will also join.
For more details about the ConnectED initiative, visit www.whitehouse.gov/issues/education/k-12/connected
