IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 19, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- K-12 Educators can now add Scantron(r) scanning technology to online assessments offered by CompassLearning through a partnership the two companies announced today.
CompassLearning is a leading provider of K-12 software that empowers educators to teach and students to learn more effectively. Scantron will be the exclusive provider of scannable forms and Optical Mark Read (OMR) scanners for CompassLearning Explorer(r), an online comprehensive suite that delivers standards-aligned assessments with "print-scan" capabilities built into the software. The partnership offers greater reliability and control in processing assessments with Scantron products, which are used in 80 percent of K-12 schools in the nation.
"We are pleased to be the exclusive forms and hardware provider for CompassLearning and we feel this partnership further demonstrates our commitment to enhancing data collection solutions for the education market," said Sal Rahman, vice president of sales for Scantron's data collection division.
For schools already using Scantron dual-sided pencil-read scanners, no additional hardware investment is needed and forms can be ordered directly from Scantron.
"By partnering with Scantron, we can offer our customers a turnkey solution from one vendor," said Ann Henson, vice president of curriculum and instruction for CompassLearning. "We chose Scantron because they provide stellar data collection solutions that our customers will be able to trust."
CompassLearning Explorer is a bank of reading/language arts and math test items and objectives aligned to the standards and skills in grades K-8 that are needed to master NAEP objectives and each state's assessment standards. As a part of the CompassLearning Odyssey diagnostic-prescriptive solution, CompassLearning Explorer assesses student competencies; diagnoses student strengths and weaknesses on critical objectives; prescribes a personalized learning path for remediation, reinforcement, or enrichment; and reports individual, class, school and district achievement data.
Scantron's data collection division provides survey, OMR, imaging, online and service bureau solutions for a variety of industries including education, healthcare, government, financial services and hospitality.
About CompassLearning
CompassLearning is a leading provider of K-12 education software that empowers educators to teach and students to learn more effectively. With more than 35 years of experience in the field of research-based education software, CompassLearning delivers standards-aligned K-12 curriculum, assessment and comprehensive data reporting that enables educators, parents and students to work together to reduce the stress of high-stakes testing. Since its founding, CompassLearning has been an industry leader in applying teaching and learning theory and research to the design of its products to ensure validity and effectiveness in promoting student achievement. Underscoring the company's leadership is the alliance it established in 2005 with the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), a nonprofit provider of research-based assessment and analytical tools, offering the most advanced assessment, curriculum, data management systems and related products in the education arena. CompassLearning serves more than 11 million students in more than 20,000 schools nationwide.
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 provider of software services and systems for the collection, management and interpretation of data to the educational, financial and commercial markets. For more information call 1-800-722-6876.
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.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.