iPad integration plan rolling out at Santa Barbara Unified School District

More than 10,000 Santa Barbara Unified School District students will be equipped with iPads by the start of the 2018 school year.

The district started saving money three years for its techEQUITY initiative to provide each student in grades 4 through 12 with a district-owned iPad.

The initiative aims to create digital literacy among the students to prepare them for college and their future careers.

Currently, four schools in the district are part of a successful iPad pilot program.

Here are some of the basic information about the program:

● School year 2017-2018: 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th graders will receive a district iPad.
● School year 2018-2019: 4th-12th graders will receive a district iPad.
● iPads are the property of the Santa Barbara Unified School District, but if a family chooses to
purchase the iPad, they may do so through the techEQUITY Purchase Plan (details to follow in Fall
2017).
● Santa Barbara Unified School District manages the iPads, which means that students may only
use approved educational apps. The Apple App Store is not available on these iPads.
● Students will be expected to bring their iPad to school every day, fully charged and ready to use.
● Optional iPad insurance is available for $29 a year. This insurance covers breakage and
loss/theft.