Expansion of Apple's Community Education Initiative enhances learning avenues in over 600 locations nationwide
Apple's Community Education Initiative (CEI) continues to grow, with a renewed focus on supporting teachers and educators in underrepresented communities across the United States. The initiative, launched with 70 educational institutions in several US cities, now has partners in 29 states, plus the District of Columbia, and over 150 educational partners worldwide.
One of the latest partnerships involves Oklahoma City University (OCU), the University of Oklahoma, and tribal governments such as the Cherokee Nation, Choctaw Nation, and Chickasaw Nation. This collaboration aims to provide educational opportunities for Native American youth in Oklahoma, with a focus on preserving tribal languages and cultures, and enabling employment pathways for young people living on tribal reservations.
The partnership also includes CEI's first teacher academy for educators working in schools within the reservations of the Cherokee Nation, Choctaw Nation, and Chickasaw Nation. The academy aims to support the integration of creativity and coding concepts in the classroom.
In 2019, California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) partnered with Apple, bringing new STEAM experiences to nearly 2,000 students and teachers. This partnership led to the launch of after-school coding clubs, a regular Saturday STEM Exploration Day, and a "STEAM Max" event for 300 elementary and middle school students.
CEI provides Apple hardware, scholarships, financial support, educator resources, and access to Apple experts to enhance student learning with technology. The initiative aligns with Apple's Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, which aims to expand opportunities for communities of color through education.
New CEI partners include Arizona State University, Arts New Orleans, the Center for Black Educator Development in Philadelphia, Education Service Center Region 13 in Austin, the Foundation for the Los Angeles Community Colleges, Harry S Truman College in Chicago, Henry Ford College in metro Detroit, Locally Grown Community Forge in Pittsburgh, Miami Dade College, Rutgers 4-H Computers Pathways Program in Newark, New Jersey, The New York Public Library TechConnect, University of Colorado Denver, University of Massachusetts Amherst's Center for Youth Engagement, and Wayne State University College of Engineering in Detroit.
This expansion of CEI reflects Apple's commitment to supporting teachers and educators, and providing equitable access to coding, creativity, and workforce opportunities for underrepresented communities. Oklahoma City University's president, Kenneth Evans, expressed excitement about the impact of the partnership on tribal nation partners.
With CEI now reaching learners in nearly 600 communities across 99 countries and regions, and all 50 US states, Apple continues to make strides in supporting education and fostering innovation.
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