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Pearson School Systems Acquires altonaEd

Expands Leadership Position in Student Information with Premiere Web-based Solution

Mesa, AZ -Aug. 30, 2004 – Pearson School Systems (PSS), the leader in student information and digital resources for preK-12 education, today announced the acquisition of altonaEd, creators of the School Information & Performance System (SiPs), a next generation of student information technology. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

The acquisition supports Pearson Education's strategy to enable educators to use student information to assess students, diagnose achievement gaps and prescribe instructional strategies to close those gaps at the district, school, classroom and student levels. Further, the addition of the Web-based SiPs firmly positions Pearson School Systems as the leader in student information systems with the most powerful and flexible student information solutions for the preK-12 marketplace.

"We are excited to offer this new technology to educators who are committed to leveraging student data to improve student performance. SiPs represents the future of student information systems with its Web-based, scalable, multi-platform design. Combined with new investments planned for our current SASIxp and CIMS student information systems we will offer the greatest degree of choice in meeting the student information needs of K-12 school districts," said Mike Evans, president of Pearson School Systems.

SiPs' fully web-based technology is a powerful administrative tool integrating all aspects of student management. A centralized database provides administrators, teachers and parents with instant access to current attendance, grading and discipline information, while providing information technology directors with a state-of-the-art enterprise application. SiPs' relational database design offers broad scalability, and its web-based access provides secure entry anytime-anywhere from any PC or Machintosh with a standard Web browser. Advanced scheduling technologies reduce manual efforts to perform student course placements.

"This merging of capabilities is great news for educators," said Robert Darby, president of altonaEd. "SiPs fits beautifully with Pearson's strategy to capture and utilize comprehensive student information to efficiently drive individualized instruction. Educators will be better positioned to promote student achievement through the use of a powerful, comprehensive system that allows for integrated student information, instructional management, assessment and decision support."

About Pearson School Systems
Focusing exclusively on enterprise solutions for K-12 school districts, Pearson School Systems (PSS) is dedicated to helping educators improve student performance by combining the power of assessment, reporting and student information solutions. Its innovative, digital solutions include widely acclaimed SASIxp(TM); CIMS(r) comprehensive finance, human resources, and student information system; and Concert(TM) Solution Suite. Pearson School Systems' products are used by more than 16,000 schools nationwide.

Pearson School Systems is part of Pearson Education (NYSE:PSO - News), the world's leading integrated education company.

Contact:

Eicher Communications, St. Louis
Leslie Eicher, APR, 314-965-1776
Leslie@EicherCommunications.com