IRVINE, Calif., May 9, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Scantron's web-based assessment platforms, Performance Series(tm) and Achievement Series(tm), received special recognition today when the Association of Educational Publishers (AEP) named the products "finalists" in the 2005 Distinguished Achievement Awards in categories for Web-based math products and administrative tools, respectively. The designation places Performance Series and Achievement Series among the top technology products in the education marketplace.
"We are very pleased that both of our flagship products, Achievement Series and Performance Series, were selected as exemplary products, worthy of recognition as finalists in the AEP awards program," said Tim Loomer, president of Scantron's Testing and Assessment Division. "These awards recognize that Scantron assessment solutions meet the needs of today's educators for Web-based testing from the classroom level up to the district or state level."
Achievement Series (www.scantron.com) is a Web-based testing engine designed to help 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 Web-based, computer-adaptive test that educators use for diagnostic purposes, for determining student placement, for progress reporting and to manage instruction. Performance Series is reliable and standards-based and it adapts automatically to each student's instructional level. Because it is Web-based, educators receive instant results and have a clear snapshot of each student's proficiency in mathematics, language arts, science and reading. Educators can also report results at the individual, classroom, school or district level.
Performance Series has also been named 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 Solutions.
The AEP Distinguished Achievement Awards program recognizes diverse print, electronic, and instructional resources exhibiting superior content and educational value. Judging panels are drawn from a national pool of writing, publishing, and design experts in print and technology; education editors; educators; and curriculum experts. Three or four products are selected as finalists in each category with winners being announced at an awards banquet on June 8 in Washington, D.C.
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.
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.