Apple unveils plans to increase school tech

Apple on Monday unveiled details of its plans to make sure more U.S. students have the technology they need.

The tech giant has chosen 114 schools in 29 states to get grants as part of the Obama administration’s ConnectED effort, which seeks to connect 99 percent of the country’s students to high-speed broadband Internet.

{mosads}“We believe that the young minds and young innovators of tomorrow should have every opportunity to realize their potential through today’s powerful learning tools,” Apple said in announcing its plans. 

In the schools Apple will be targeting, 96 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, a common metric of poverty. Ninety-two percent of students in the schools are of a racial or ethnic minority.

“Despite their economic challenges, these schools share a vision of what their students’ lives would be like with Apple technology,” Apple said.

Every student at the school will get an iPad, and every teacher and administration will get an iPad and a Mac computer. Every classroom will also get an Apple TV.

Apple is also assigning an educational team to support each chosen school to help integrate technology into lessons.  

The ConnctED effort is an updated version of an Federal Communications Commission (FCC) E-Rate plan.

Earlier this year, FCC Chairwoman Tom Wheeler promised a “businesslike” overhaul of the E-Rate program to get rid of existing inefficiencies and double the funding.