The state of Maine has distinguished itself by offering iBooks to all public school seventh and eighth graders. The cost of the iBook program has been a political minefield especially as legislators in the cash-strapped state consider expanding it to public high schoolers. A new deal put forth by Apple may give that plan new hope, according to the Portland Press Herald: Apple is willing to rent laptops and defer their payments for a year.
It’s not a done deal, but the new plan is being discussed by state officials. Maine Governor John Baldacci, who supports expanding the program, is currently reviewing about four different options, according to his spokesman.