While we are in San Diego for Uplinq, we are happy to see how Qualcomm is helping educate migrant workers.
One Economy, Cricket, Google and Qualcomm, through its Wireless Reach initiative, have teamed up with the San Diego County Office of Education, and Computers 2 SD Kids to provide refurbished computers and wireless internet to 220 families participating in the Migrant Education program throughout San Diego county as part of Project Unlimited Access.
With a grant from Qualcomm's Wireless Reach initiative and contributions from One Economy, Cricket Communications, Google, Computers 2 SD Kids, and the San Diego County Office of Education, Project Unlimited Access has been able to provide a total of 470 families throughout San Diego County with computers and wireless internet service.
Many migrant families move to find new employment because of the
uncertain economy affected by supply and demand and climate. The
patterns of migration are well established for states such as
California, where families travel the length of the West Coast
throughout the agricultural picking season. In the process of moving,
children's schooling is often interrupted, presenting enormous
challenges for students to benefit from and have full access to base
curriculum and school services.
Additionally, many migrant students have limited English proficiency
skills that sometimes results in low academic performance and increased
dropout rates.
The Migrant Education program is federally funded and authorized through
the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and it is designed to provide
supplementary educational and support services through collaboration
with school districts and other community agencies to maximize the
potential of migrant students. Working closely with parents, each
district designs its own plan of services in order to provide the most
effective program possible, to ensure equitable opportunities and to increase
graduation rates.