Computers for Under-resourced Schools ATLANTA (WABE) - When it comes to academic achievement, research has shown that parental involvement is key in a child's formative years. That is why Louis Radloff Middle School in Duluth invited many of its students and families to attend a unique workshop on a recent Saturday.

Over 90 sixth-grade students plus family members showed up for the morning session. More than an education course, this was Computers for Youth, or CFY, a potentially life-changing program for these kids and their families. CFY is an organization that works with low-income, public middle schools. Founded in New York they're now in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Atlanta.

Over the course of a few hours, students and family members are taught how to use the internet and the computers, which are donated, refurbished and loaded with educational software.

And at the end of the day, they get to take the machines home. For Free.

"It's really more than having a computer at home, it's about parents feeling comfortable and helping their children," says Jeanne Artime, Atlanta's CFY director.

"The second piece of it is the educational software on computer. We're saying to the parents, you don't have to know the math, we're giving you the resource now so you can sit down with the student and learn it for yourselves."

The software, says Artime comes from educational experts across the country, is geared to the Georgia ciriculum, and tested by sixth graders for it's fun factor. "So students feel they can't put it down, and are learning despite themselves."

At this Saturday morning workshop, parents like Colandra Tucker were thrilled by the math and how it could help her daughter, China.

"The style we were taught for doing fractions is different from what they're doing now, so now we have a tool we can use to balance out our teaching and learning methods."

Some families like Freeman's already have a computer at home. But this one has much more to offer both him, and his sister, Sury, who wishes she had one when she was in school.

Raymond Sells, who was there with his son Miles says he thought it was great when if first heard about the program because many kids don't have computers at home. And then, he says, "you bring it to whole family and then I found out bout additional software on the computer- I think it's great!"

Radliff, now in its second year with CFY, is one of six participating Atlanta area schools. The entire sixth grade is invited, and programs here are bilingual, since 63% of the students are Hispanic.

Principal Patty Heitmueller says she's hoping this program will encourage families to stay involved with their kids' educational progress through their entire middle school years. "We know when parents are involved in kid's education they'll do better in school," says Heitmueller. "Not only in middle school, but later in high school and have a greater ability to go on to college and further."

At the end of the training session, the kids and families pack up their new computers, pack up their cars and head home.
Keenan Kasen said he was ready to do his homework, and his mother Kwan says she learned something too."It was educational, I actually learned something that will help me with my job, so it was a good idea to come. We're not only walking away with something to help him with his studies but I learned something as well."

CFY is currently serving 2600 families in the Atlanta area. © Copyright 2012, WABE