The education sector has become big business for tech companies in recent years thanks to classrooms embracing new technologies like tablets and educational software. Apple and Amazon are both big players in the tablets for education arena, and now Google is tossing its hat in as well.

Google announced today its launching a new education initiative called Tablets with Google Play for Education. As the name implies, Google will be working with schools to supply students with Android tablets and the necessary educational software for each grade.

Here’s how Google describes it:

Google Play for Education is an extension of Google Play designed for schools. Here educators can discover apps approved by teachers for teachers, as well as educational videos and a collection of classic books for their classroom. Teachers can search for approved apps by grade, subject and standard, including Common Core, pay using a purchase order, and deploy the content to students instantly.

So, what about the tablets? Starting now, schools can purchase Nexus 7 tablets from Google starting at $229 per tablet. Early next year, Google’s offerings will expand to include the 10-inch ASUS Transformer Pad and the 8-inch HP Slate 8 Pro. Google will also charge a $30 management fee for every tablet running Google Play for Education.

While this program will now be rolling out across the U.S., Google had New Jersey’s Hillsborough Township Public School system try out Tablets with Google Play for Education a while back. Here are the results:

If you want to learn more about Google Apps for Education or the tablet program, check out Google’s education Web site.

[Image: Google in Education/YouTube]