SANTA FE, N.M., and HADLEY, Mass. - Jan. 29, 2008 —The New Mexico Public Education Department awarded a four-year contract to develop and manage its New Mexico Teacher Assessments(tm) program to Pearson's teacher licensure testing group. The renewal of this long-term contract for the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson (formerly National Evaluation Systems) runs through June 2011.

The New Mexico Teacher Assessments were launched in 1998. The Evaluation Systems group of Pearson worked with the New Mexico Public Education Department to develop a comprehensive assessment program that includes criterion-referenced and competency-based teacher licensure tests. The New Mexico Teacher Assessments test questions are based on educational materials relevant to the state, such as teacher education curricula and licensure standards, curriculum frameworks and instructional materials.

In September 2007, four new Content Knowledge Assessments were added to the New Mexico teacher licensure testing programs, bringing the total number of tests available to evaluate educator content knowledge to 28. New Mexico educators can now earn state licenses as an educational administrator, educational diagnostician, school counselor and as a special education teacher.

"We are pleased to work with Dr. Garcia and her leadership team at the New Mexico Public Education Department as they continue to offer one of the nation's most comprehensive and high-quality teacher licensure testing programs," said William Gorth, Ph.D., president of the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson.

For more information about the New Mexico Teacher Assessments, visitwww.nmta.nesinc.com. For more information about the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson, visit www.nesinc.com.

About Pearson

Pearson is the global leader in educational publishing, assessment, information and services, helping people of all ages to learn at their own pace, in their own way. For students preK-12, Pearson provides effective and innovative curriculum products in all available media, educational assessment and measurement for students and teachers, student information systems, and teacher professional development and certification programs. The company's respected brands include Scott Foresman, Prentice Hall, AGS, PowerSchool, SuccessMaker, TeacherVision and many others. Pearson's comprehensive offerings help inform targeted instruction and intervention so that success is within reach of every student. Pearson's other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group.

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