Schools see rising scores with iPads

Want to improve student academic performance? There’s an app for that. Hundreds of middle school students in the central San Joaquin Valley and across California -- each with a school-issued iPad -- are using curriculum apps for their classwork and homework. Educators say students who use the touch-screen devices for class appear to be more engaged in their studies. Students can view their school work anywhere and eMail their teachers anytime. It seems to be making a difference: Test scores of iPad-using students are climbing. In Fresno Unified School District, where 100 students at Kings Canyon and Sequoia middle schools are part of a four-district pilot program, the results are promising, spokeswoman Susan Bedi said.