IRVINE,Calif., Jan. 22, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Scantron(r), a leading provider of assessment, software and survey solutions for the K-12, higher education and commercial markets, today announced that Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) has selected Scantron's comprehensive assessment solution to provide customizable formative and diagnostic testing for its students district-wide. With 193,000 students in 200 schools, HCPS is the eighth largest school district in the nation.
At the core of the Hillsborough program is Scantron's unique combination of assessment solutions: Achievement Series(tm), a standards-based formative assessment program that allows educators to monitor student progress and guide instruction in preparation for high-stakes testing, and Performance Series(tm) which provides computer-adaptive diagnostic testing for periodic measurement of gains and student mastery. Combined with specialized test preparation item banks, training, and Scantron's market-leading scanners, the Hillsborough program represents the best of Scantron's complete assessment solutions for K-12 education.
According to Dr. John Hilderbrand, Director of Assessment and Accountability at HCPS, the district was looking for a solution that allows teachers to diagnose student progress on a regular, real-time basis. "We wanted to provide our teachers with a tool to easily design and implement customized tests in a variety of subject areas, and to give them information that can drive instruction on a daily basis," said Dr. Hilderbrand. 'Achievement Series' open architecture allows us to add items to the system. Teachers can then print out the tests or administer them online, have the system score them, and then get immediate, detailed reports. It's a solution that holds the potential to greatly enhance our instructional effectiveness and student performance."
"Scantron is a wonderful tool for teachers to easily assess students' strengths and develop appropriate interventions to support academic areas of need for each student," said Hillsborough Superintendent MaryEllen Elia.
To ensure maximum effectiveness of its new system, HCPS will provide nine hours of staff development to approximately 1,000 teachers and administrators. The training includes instruction in creating tests, developing customized reports, data analysis, and equipment usage. Select district employees will receive specialized training that will allow them to provide on-site assistance and training for future staff.
About Hillsborough County Public Schools
The Hillsborough County Public School district (www.sdhc.k12.fl.us), located in Central Florida, is the eighth largest school district in the nation. The district received an overall "A" grade under the state's school accountability system for the 2005-2006 school year.
About Scantron Corporation
Scantron Corp. (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 technology provider of software and survey solutions for the K-12 and higher education markets. For more information call 1-800-722-6876.
About Harland
Atlanta-based John H. Harland Company (NYSE:JH) (http://www.harland.net) is a leading provider of software and printed products to the financial and educational markets. Harland Financial Solutions, Inc. (http://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 Printed Products' offerings include checks, direct marketing and financial forms. Scantron Corp. (http://www.scantron.com), a wholly owned subsidiary, is a leading provider of both paper and electronic-based services and systems for the collection, management and interpretation of data to the financial, commercial and educational markets.
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.