IRVINE, Calif., June 22, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Scantron(R) today announced that Performance Series(SM) and Achievement Series(SM), were each awarded top honors in the 2005 Distinguished Achievement Awards -- a coveted awards program sponsored by the Association of Educational Publishers (AEP). Performance Series and Achievement Series won top honors in categories for Web-based math products and administrative tools, respectively.
"The Distinguished Achievement Awards are highly coveted by our industry and we are very pleased that Achievement Series and Performance Series were both selected as the top products in their category," said Tim Loomer, president of Scantron's Testing and Assessment Division. "This award and the positive feedback from our customers are very gratifying for they inspire us to continue the Scantron heritage of developing cutting-edge resources fitting the needs of today's educators."
"At Cobb County School District, we have continually been impressed with our Scantron partnership and the quality of Scantron assessment tools and we congratulate them on winning two Distinguished Achievement Awards," said Dr. Donald Beers, deputy superintendent. "Scantron provides us with a complete assessment solution that continually exceeds our expectations and truly empowers our teachers with relevant and timely information we can use to drive instruction."
Achievement Series (www.scantron.com) won the award as best Web-based administrative tool. Achievement Series is a Web-based assessment platform that helps educators develop and deploy tests, capture results and manage the vital information needed to make data-driven decisions and help guide instruction in the classroom. Achievement Series allows districts to align any content they choose with established state standards and enables educators to deliver, score and manage test data from both online and paper-based test administration.
Performance Series is a computer-adaptive test that educators use for diagnostic purposes, for determining student placement, for progress reporting and to manage instruction. Performance Series, which won in its category as best Web-based math product, measures student proficiency in language arts, science and reading in addition to mathematics. Performance Series is reliable and standards-based and it adapts automatically to each student's instructional level and because it is Web-based, educators receive results instantly and have a clear snapshot of each student's proficiency in these key subject areas.
Performance Series was also selected as a finalist in the Software and Information Industry Association's 20th Annual Codie Awards in the category for the Best Student Test Preparation or Assessment Solution.
The AEP Distinguished Achievement Awards are the most respected awards in educational publishing for they recognize diverse print, electronic, and instructional resources exhibiting superior content and educational value. AEP judges include educators and curriculum experts, researchers as well as professionals in writing, publishing, and design. Products submitted in the Instructional Materials categories are judged primarily on their high quality content, design, teacher support, and superior educational value. As a winner, Scantron may now display the AEP Lamp of Learning logo on Achievement Series and Performance Series product materials and literature.
About Scantron Corporation
Scantron Corporation ( www.scantron.com ) is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based John H. Harland Company (NYSE:JH). Scantron is a leading provider of software services and systems for the collection, management and interpretation of data to the educational, financial and commercial markets. The company has approximately 600 employees worldwide and annual revenues exceeding $110 million.
About Harland
Atlanta-based John H. Harland Company (NYSE:JH) (www.harland.net) is a leading provider of software and printed products to the financial and educational markets. Harland Financial Solutions, Inc. (www.harlandfinancialsolutions.com), a wholly owned subsidiary, supplies software and services, including customer relationship management, deposit and loan origination, core systems and mortgage services, to thousands of financial institutions of all sizes. Harland's printed products offerings include checks, direct marketing and financial forms.
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This press release contains statements, which may constitute "forward-looking statements." These statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of John H. Harland Company and members of its respective management, as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Reference is made to the Risk Factors and Cautionary Statements in Harland's Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed under the Securities Exchange Act.