US schools seek refund over $1.3bn iPad project

The US is running a nationwide initiative to improve
computers and communications in schools
Schools in Los Angeles are seeking compensation from Apple
over a $1.3bn (£870m) iPad-based education project that has
gone awry.
They have sent letters to Apple and its project partners
seeking refunds.
The project began in 2013 and aimed to give iPads and other
computers to about 650,000 students.
It hit problems when students were able to bypass security
systems on the tablets and because the computer-based
curriculum was incomplete.
Cutting ties
In the letters, the LA Unified School District (LAUSD) said it
was "extremely dissatisfied" with the way the project has been
handled, according to a report in the LA Times.
The scheme was intended to be a way for poorer pupils to
keep up with wealthier peers who already enjoyed access to
tablets and other computer-based study aids.
The LA school district initially bought 43,261 iPads loaded
with a maths and English curriculum designed by educational
and training firm Pearson. A further 77,000 iPads were bought
to be used in standardised tests.
Teachers, school heads and administrators were also
expected to use the gadgets to improve lessons and the way
schools were run.
"While Apple and Pearson promised a state-of-the-art
technological solution they have yet to deliver it," said the
letters sent to the two firms this week.
Lawyers acting for the school district are also believed to be
considering legal action against the two main suppliers. In
addition, the schools have cut ties with the firms and do not
want them to be involved in any future development.
The letters come after repeated demands from the LA school
district that Apple and Pearson improve the way the scheme
was being run. In its complaints, the district said only two
schools were regular users of the iPad-based curriculum and
those that used it intermittently reported frequent problems.
Apple has not responded to requests for comment about the
complaints.
In a statement, Pearson said it was "proud of our long history
working with LAUSD and our significant investment in this
groundbreaking initiative to transform instructional practices
and raise expectations for all students".
The statement acknowledged the "challenges" there had been
in implementing the project but said it stood by the "quality of
our performance".
The Pearson/Apple deal was one part of a $1.3bn programme
that included spending $700m on improving internet access at
schools.
The superintendent in charge of the LA school district who
drew up and oversaw the costly programme resigned after the
problems with the scheme came to light.