NEF Launches National Digital Literacy Initiative

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Education Foundation (NEF), the national non-profit leader in bridging the academic and job skills divides, today launched an innovative Digital Literacy Program, in partnership with the State University of New York (SUNY). This national initiative is a win-win-win program for states, schools and students throughout the US. 

This public-private partnership provides schools world-class Digital Literacy Academies at no cost. The $100 million program has been lauded by the US Congress and the US Department of Education as an innovative approach to bridging the 21^st century academic and job skills gaps.

NEF's overriding objective is to set up world-class K-12 CyberLearning Digital Literacy academies in the nation's schools, especially the disadvantaged.

Each student receives a $100 full tuition grant. School districts pay nothing. Every student will have 24/7 unlimited access for the 2014-15 school year to the Web-based digital literacy course (IC3) prepared by the State University of New York (SUNY).

The IC3 (Internet & Computing Core Curriculum) is a universally recognized course that meets the digital literacy test standard of all 50 states. The course consists of Basic Computer Skills, Computer Application Skills, and Internet (Living Online) Skills. Any student, who successfully completes the course, will receive a certificate from NEF's academy partner, the acclaimed State University of New York (SUNY).

NEF Chairman, Dr. Appu Kuttan, a philanthropist and global expert on digital literacy and STEM education, stares, "Digital literacy is a requirement for middle school students in many countries. That is why the Federal NCLB (No Child Left Behind) law mandated it. However, many states balked, because it is an unfunded mandate. We believe our students need digital literacy skills to compete in the global economy. Our national initiative is aimed at preparing our students better for college and the 21^st century workforce."

NEF's vision is to set up Digital Literacy CyberLearning Academies in the most disadvantaged middle schools in the US by 2020.

Interested School district superintendents can sign up atwww.cyberlearning.org. For more information, call NEF at 703-823-9999.          

About NEF
The National Education Foundation (NEF) is the national non-profit leader in bridging the academic and job skills divides by providing world-class education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), English, test prep, digital literacy, IT, business, desktop and management to millions of disadvantaged students and adults. See www.cyberlearning.org.

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SOURCE National Education Foundation (NEF)