Excelsior Renews Exclusive Contract with Prometric
Contacts:
Donald W. Boucher
443.923.8031
donald.boucher@prometric.com
William M. Stewart
518.464.8775
wstewart@excelsior.edu
(BALTIMORE, MD - July 18, 2002) Prometric, a part of the Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX:TOC), and the global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services, today announced that it has signed an exclusive three-year agreement with Excelsior College to deliver approximately 40,000 Excelsior exams annually through its U.S.-based network of Prometric testing centers.
Under the terms of the agreement, each of Excelsior's 41 exams will be delivered via Prometric's new technology platform, the Unified Test Driver (UTD). The UTD provides clients with the industry's newest and most robust computer-based testing technology. It will ensure 100 percent continuity of Excelsior's exam program during the migration process, and will provide greater flexibility in the exam delivery, administration and reporting process. The program will be supported by Prometric's high security testing network. Excelsior examinees will continue to test at Prometric testing centers with which they have already become familiar.
"This latest agreement represents a progressive partnership where both parties have invested in many processes, technologies and features that have facilitated the growth of the Excelsior program," stated C. Wayne Williams, Excelsior College president.
Based in Albany, N.Y., Excelsior College is the only regionally accredited institution in the country offering degree programs based exclusively on outcomes-based assessment of learning. Excelsior is a recognized leader in distance learning for adult learners at the collegiate level.
"We're delighted to grow the Prometric/Excelsior College partnership," stated Alison Indrisano, Prometric Senior Vice President of Client Services and Support. "We look forward to providing test publishing, scoring and administrative services that will meet the needs of the College and its students, while offering options for lowering operating costs and improving service for candidates."
"Our expertise is in the evaluation of learning that has been gained outside the formal classroom and in the development of examinations to assess the level of that learning," said Dr. J. Patrick Jones, Dean of Assessment at Excelsior College. "Prometric provides us with the ability to concentrate on these essential tasks while affording our students the convenience of computer-delivered examinations."
About The Thomson Corporation and Prometric
The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), with 2001 revenues of $7.2 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. Thomson provides value-added information, software applications and tools to more than 20 million users in the fields of corporate training, assessment and testing, higher education, reference information, law, tax, accounting, financial services, and scientific research and healthcare. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC). Its learning businesses and brands serve the needs of individuals, learning institutions and corporations with products and services for both traditional and distributed learning.
As part of Thomson, Prometric (www.prometric.com) is the global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services for information technology certification, academic admissions, and professional licensure and certifications. Prometric delivers standardized tests for more than 200 clients, in more than 25 languages, over the Web or through a network of more than 4,800 testing centers in over 140 countries.
About Excelsior College Excelsior College (www.excelsior.edu) is the only institution in the country offering degree programs based exclusively on outcomes-based assessment of learning. Founded in 1971, the college has approximately 19,000 students currently enrolled and nearly 100,000 graduates worldwide. The college has degree programs in business, liberal arts, nursing and technology, and awards degrees at the associate, bachelor's and master's levels. It is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The American Council on Education (ACE) recognizes Excelsior College Examinations for the award of college-level credit.
