More problems with IPads for Los Angeles School District

If anyone wants to see the way technology companies and textbook publishers are going to drain the taxpayers' money, you need look no further than the Los Angeles School District.

I have posted some material about the problems the district has had since it decided to buy IPads for all of its high school students. A major reason was to be able to take the new standardized tests (which all have to be done online). They did not have the sense to realize they would also need keyboards to take the tests, so now they are having to spend millions on USB keyboards.

Add to that the latest revelation- that textbooks and materials uploaded from Pearson, a testing company which was one of the creators of Common Core Standards, are only licensed for three years...well, you can see where this is going. From the Los Angeles Daily News:

Otherwise, (IT Director Daphne)Congdon said, the iPads would cost $770 each, including taxes and an e-waste recycling fee.

Based on that figure, Congdon estimated the cost of iPads for Phase 1 at nearly $25 million, compared with $20 million under the initial budget. The district budgeted another $25 million for computer carts, security programs, staffing, infrastructure and other system costs.

There’s no allocation in the $50 million Phase 1 budget for computer keypads. Congdon said that expense will be included in the long-range plan — a decision made after keypad bids for the first phase came in higher than officials were willing to pay.

Officials also had questions about the three-year license for Pearson software that comes preloaded on the iPads, and whether the lessons would simply “disappear” from the tablets when the contract expires.

Facilities Division chief Mark Hovatter explained after the meeting that the district would own all the content on the iPad for the life of the tablet — officials hope that will be five years, or more. However, Pearson would provide upgrades or updated content only while the license is active. After three years, the deal would have to be renegotiated or a new vendor found.

When you allow private businesses to set up standards, testing, and curriculum for American schools, you should not be surprised when they see to it that they make a killing.