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Apple Sells PowerSchool to Pearson [Updated]

Apple Sells PowerSchool to Pearson [Updated]

by , 7:40 AM EDT, May 25th, 2006

Pearson has agreed to acquire the PowerSchool division from Apple Computer according to a report from Reuters. The deal terms were not disclosed, but Pearson does plan to develop iPod compatible content for students and teachers.

Pearson will develop a series of podcasts for educators that cover topics like professional development and working with students that are having difficulty learning. Students will be able to load study guides for Pearson texts on their iPod and listen to review notes that help them prepare for exams.

Pearson is the world's largest educational publisher, and is known for many of its popular publishing imprints, including Addison-Wesley Professional, Adobe Press, and Peachpit Press.

PowerSchool is an educational management system that provides real time student performance feedback to teachers, parents, and students. Apple purchased PowerSchool in 2001 for US$62 million in stock.

The combined PowerSchool software and podcast service will retain the PowerSchool name, and will be run by the company's current president, Mary McCaffrey.

Apple says that even though it is spinning off the PowerSchool division to Pearson, it is still dedicated to the education market. John Couch, Apple's vice president of Education commented "Apple's commitment to education has never been stronger, which is why we're excited to broaden our relationship with Pearson."

[This article has been updated with additional information about the PowerSchool aquisition.]

Observer Comments

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Close Name:Guest
Subject:

Since iPods are compatible with both OS X and Windows:

Pearson stands to gain by being able to offer content on the iPod, while students and parents gain by having easy, instant access to that content no matter what computer they use.

With the number of iPods already sold (and growing), I think Apple will continue to sell a lot more iPods.

Close Name:burreyeann Posts: 1144 Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Subject:

What has Pearson done with PowerSchool? Another Mac product left to wither on the vine?

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