NCTAF Applauds Apple for $100 Million Contribution to Disadvantaged Schools Through ConnectED Grants

WASHINGTON - Oct. 27, 2014 - PRLog -- The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF) congratulates the 114 schools in underserved communities that will receive an Apple grant as part of the company’s ConnectED commitment. All grant recipients have 96 percent or more students eligible for free or reduced-priced lunches.

Through its $100 million contribution, Apple will provide iPads and MacBooks, learning content, curriculum support, professional development and wireless infrastructure.

“We applaud Apple on its commitment to access and equity in public education. Their contribution goes far beyond dropping off devices and materials. This is a collaborative effort that brings together teachers, parents, community partners, and state leaders to think strategically about the best use of these digital learning tools and the types of support needed for success in classrooms,” said Melinda George, president of NCTAF. “Not only will student learning be impacted in the schools, but these resources will also help entire communities.”

NCTAF was among a handful of national education organizations that participated in the selection of Apple’s finalists this summer. “It was an honor to participate in the evaluation process. Through the application process, I could feel the passion these education leaders have for their kids,” said George. “Seeing the stark need in many of our nation’s schools provides a strong reminder that there is a lot more to be done, but with investment efforts like Apple’s we can help all students receive a world-class education.”

For more information about Apple's ConnectED commitment, visit: www.apple.com/education/connectED.
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The National Commission on Teaching & America’s Future (NCTAF) was founded in 1994 as a bipartisan effort to engage education policymakers and practitioners to address the entrenched national challenge of recruiting, developing, and retaining good teachers in order to ensure that all students have access to quality teaching in schools organized for success. For 20 years, NCTAF has worked to drive and inform the national dialogue about the importance of good teaching, especially in hard-to-staff schools. NCTAF’s research and recommendations inform innovations and improvements in teaching quality nationwide, focus attention on the importance of equitable distribution and retention of teachers, and promote promising practices for the development of teachers’ skills and career pathways. (http://nctaf.org)