Description
Although a myriad of approaches have been proposed for improving K-12 education in the United States, one common element of many plans is more extensive and more effective utilization of computers, networking, and other information technologies (IT) to support a broad program of systemic and curricular reform.
Although many schools have computers and Internet access, the distribution of these resources among schools with high and low concentrations of poverty is not uniform. Studies have shown that schools with high concentrations of poor or minority students have fewer computers and are less likely to have Internet access.
Numerous studies conducted in the elementary and secondary grades have concluded that student learning is enhanced by computers. The benefits appeared to be strongest for students of lower socioeconomic status, low achievers, and children with certain learning problems.
Additionally, in 2009, the EPA estimated:
- 438 million electronic products were sold in the US
- Over 5 million tons of electronics were in storage in the US
- 2.37 million tons of used electronics entered end-of-life management
reachIT.org is committed to the principle of "refurbish, reuse, and recycle." Our preferred method is refurbishment of an entire computer system for reuse. If that is not feasible, component level reuse is implemented, and if neither of these methods are feasible, commodity materials reuse is employed. Not until all of the above methods are exhausted shall disposal be considered.
