Apple announced on Wednesday that it had won a contract to provide iPads to the Los Angeles Unified School District. The deal, valued at $30 million, affects 47 campuses and will provide some 45,000 students with a special version of Apple's tablet computer.
The first batch of iPads will ship out sometime this fall and Apple states that it is only the first phase of a larger project. The iPads will be available to both students and teachers and come with an app that allows access to the Pearson Common Core System of Courses.
"Education is in Apple's DNA and we're thrilled to work with Los Angeles Unified public schools on this major initiative as they plan to roll out iPads to every student across 47 campuses this fall," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing in a press statement. "Schools around the world have embraced the engaging and interactive quality of iPad with nearly 10 million iPads already in schools today."
Apple has released special versions of its products for the education industry in the past. Many universities maintain agreements with Cupertino that allow students to purchase laptops and other products at a discounted rate. However, the new iPad for LA schools is being sold for a premium - $678 per unit, which is about $200 more per iPad than the cost of the entry-level model.
Many in the school district opposed the iPad deal, arguing that the money could be better spent on hiring new teachers. In the end though, Apple prevailed.
"The Board voted unanimously for Apple because iPad rated the best in quality, was the least expensive option and received the highest scoring by the review panel that included students and teachers," said Jaime Aquino, LAUSD deputy superintendent of instruction. "The vote is another step forward in the District's plan to equip every one of its students with a device by 2014. When completed, the LAUSD will become the largest district in the nation to provide each of its students with the technology."
