Apple
hops on board Obama program to wire up schools
Send a link to a friend
[October 28, 2014]
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Inc
plans to dole out $100 million in grants to U.S. schools as part of the
Obama administration's "ConnectED" program, targeting those that lack
access to education technology and reliable broadband Internet.
|
Obama's ConnectED initiative aims to bring stable Internet to 99
percent of U.S. students by 2017 and direct federal funds to enhance
the use of technology in classrooms. Microsoft and Adobe have
pledged support to the program in the form of free or discounted
software.
Apple will divide the funds between 114 schools in 29 states, CEO
Tim Cook said on Monday after being inducted into the Alabama
Academy of Honor, an organization that recognizes natives of the
state for their achievements.
The iPhone maker has long highlighted the use of Macs and iPads in
schools, and the growth opportunities they present. It has partnered
with educational publishers such as Pearson and Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt, as well as cellular and Wi-Fi networks providers such as
AT&T, on school programs.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Oct/28/images/ads/current/businesscardlookat.png)
Apple said it will work with schools where the majority of students
are eligible for free or reduced lunches. Ninety-two percent of the
eligible students are also of Hispanic, Black, Native American,
Alaskan Native or Asian heritage, it said.
But its push into education has not gone without a hitch. In August,
reports surfaced that the Los Angeles schools superintendent had
suspended a $1 billion contract with Apple to provide iPads to
schools.
[to top of second column] |
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Oct/28/images/ads/current/graue_073014_revolving-ad.gif)
Cook also took the opportunity on Monday to criticize his home state
for its lack of commitment to civil rights, particularly its slow
progress to ensure equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender community.
(Reporting By Christina Farr; Editing by Ken Wills)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Oct/28/images/ads/current/business_directory_filler.png)
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Oct/28/images/ads/current/humanesociety_sda022411.png) |