Shorewood students to get iPads | Schools

Every student at Shorewood High will get a school-issued iPad this year as part of the district's recently approved technology plan.

The district implemented a 1-to-1 laptop program five years ago, but does not have enough levy money to replace all of the laptops.

Students in certain English, Social Studies and Science classes at both Shorewood and Shorecrest tested out iPads last year. The devices are not only cheaper, but offer longer battery life, portability, number and low cost of apps and e-Book reader, the district said in a press release. The iPads may even replace some textbooks.

The plan for this coming school year is to give each Shorewood student an iPad, while keeping laptops at Shorecrest. If the iPads are successful, Shorecrest could potentially get them in 2012.

The district estimates the cost of the iPads to be just over $1 million, from technology levy funds approved by Shoreline School District voters last year.