Until the Covid-19 crisis, California was running a budget surplus and had billions in a rainy day fund.
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Apple and T-Mobile to Supply 1 Million iPads to California Students
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The deficit was created by the Covid crisis, not anything else.
California was running a surplus.
Despite how it looks, the Apple mothership can’t just fly away from here. We’re fine.
For what, 4 years right?
Doesn't change what I am saying one iota. I am not saying that CA is in good or bad shape generally speaking, and I am not saying that it's historically in surplus or deficit. I am simply saying that the statement that the State of California is in good shape because of GPD or the state of the private sector is erroneous.
The economy of California is the largest in the United States, boasting a $3.2 trillion gross state product as of 2019. If California were a sovereign nation (2019), it would rank as the world's fifth largest economy. I think they’ll be fine.
Based on my experience, chrome books are a better tool for this job primarily since desktop chrome is the common platform that all computers can use. (All kids in a class unit have to be on the same platform for “distance learning” to be doing anything.
All of our (large) district’s apps are via chromium plug ins.
All of our (large) district’s apps are via chromium plug ins.
This would be so awesome if our district in SoCal could get these. We don't have a lot of money, and this would really help out lower-income families who have trouble accessing the Internet except through cell phones.
However, it does make it much easier to remedy than otherwise, since we do have a version of democracy here and can vote to raise taxes.
I am just glad that Apple is doing its own part and helping teachers with supplies and allowing for deep discounts on the acquisition of these iPads.
Since they appear to have the money, and you are surprised by it, perhaps you might re-examine the assumptions that got you to this point? Just a suggestion!
Hope the students get the next generation iPad, not the current A10 3GB which is semi-obsolete.
"Supply 1 Million iPads to California Students"
Fortnite just got a whole lot more competitive.
Fortnite just got a whole lot more competitive.
I agree. Don’t get me wrong, The iPad is a very versatile tool, but Chromebooks are cheaper, more viable options that can still provide ‘desktop like applications‘, and don’t require any accessories (As in keyboards) to be more complete for the student. In my region, Chromebooks far outweigh an iPad for educational use. Primarily due to a cheaper price point.
Between discounts and the fact that this is a one time expenditure they can expense over several years, a million iPads will cost less than $100M per year; peanuts compared to the overall budget. Meanwhile, this allows them to provide remote learning for poor students who can't afford a home computer, fulfilling equal access requirements that are REQUIRED BY LAW. Is public education not one of the most critical services supplied by state and local governments?
100%. They're probably money well spent.
As much as the security of an iPad is tempting... when you roll out that many devices for such a specific purpose... Even I would pick an Android device and develop a custom ROM just for that purpose.
That is significantly cheaper and way more efficient. Android is way more flexible at the base of the OS. iOS just doesn't do customization at all... only way is using apps and MDM (which isn't customization but rather restrictions)
That is significantly cheaper and way more efficient. Android is way more flexible at the base of the OS. iOS just doesn't do customization at all... only way is using apps and MDM (which isn't customization but rather restrictions)
That's a very generous tax write off for these two companies and kids get new toys
As an iPad fanatic then I think this is fantastic and very generous.
But as a Parent who tried to push my fanaticism to my kids and use iPads to end the online school year then I’m kinda worried.
I love iPads but as a learning tool then I feel they are better as a supplemental device than a standalone student workstation. My other kid had a generic Chromebook and didnt run into any issues but the iPad had many issues that I couldn’t solve with accessories. (I did solve the multitasking problem by giving them TWO iPads to work side by side though).
For this year then I haven’t bought a 2nd Chromebook yet. I want to see the curriculum and consider giving iPads another try. But so far I’m nervous on whether this is the right tool for the job.
But as a Parent who tried to push my fanaticism to my kids and use iPads to end the online school year then I’m kinda worried.
I love iPads but as a learning tool then I feel they are better as a supplemental device than a standalone student workstation. My other kid had a generic Chromebook and didnt run into any issues but the iPad had many issues that I couldn’t solve with accessories. (I did solve the multitasking problem by giving them TWO iPads to work side by side though).
For this year then I haven’t bought a 2nd Chromebook yet. I want to see the curriculum and consider giving iPads another try. But so far I’m nervous on whether this is the right tool for the job.