Apple to provide Pa. educational program

Gov. Corbett announced Tuesday that Apple Inc. would provide a free online educational resource through iTunes that features courses and other programs, such as algebra 1, biology, and English language arts, the core-curriculum subjects that students must pass in order to graduate from high school.

In an appearance at Concord Elementary School in Garnet Valley, Corbett called Pennsylvania Learns on iTunes U a "virtual one-stop shop of high quality information ... all at the fingertips of Pennsylvania students."

"To me, this is a game-changer," he said before a roomful of students and educators, as well as acting Education Secretary Carolyn Dumaresq, who witnessed a quick demonstration of the program.

The governor's office said the cyber program is the world's largest online catalog of free educational content, and includes courses, lectures, assignments, books, quizzes, and syllabi. Apple, which owns iTunes, is offering the program to four other states - Oregon, Texas, Florida, and Virginia.

A team of 60 educators worked with the Department of Education on the Pennsylvania content. The program will be available to all 2.1 million public school students.

Anthony Gabriele, the Garnet Valley School District's curriculum supervisor, showed visitors two of the courses: algebra 1 and English language arts. How the program is used, whether as an optional educational aid or a part of the classroom curriculum, will be up to each school district.

"Ideally every student will use it, but that's not the reality," he said.

610-313-8232 @kathyboccella