Vantage Learning Partners with Prometric
World's Largest Provider of Online Assessment and Automated Essay Scoring Joins Forces with Leader in Technology-Enabled Testing and Assessment
(BALTIMORE, MD - January 29, 2003) Vantage Learning (www.vantagelearning.com) the world's premier provider of online essay scoring technologies, today announced a partnership with Prometric (NYSE:TOC, TSX:TOC), part of The Thomson Corporation and a leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services. Under the new agreement, the Vantage Learning Platform(TM) (VLP) will enable automated, real-time scoring of essays administered by Prometric through its extensive network of test centers and over the Internet.
"We are excited about this new partnership with Prometric," says Scott Elliot, COO of Vantage Learning. "Joining forces with a recognized global leader such as Prometric helps us provide added value to both the sponsors and the administrators of these large-volume tests." IntelliMetric(TM), Vantage's award-winning open-ended assessment delivery and scoring engine, uses a rich blend of artificial intelligence (AI) and the digitization of human expertise to accurately score and assess a student's competency in a range of subjects. Its inherent flexibilities allow schools to consistently evaluate students' progress and provide immediate feedback on how they can improve their skills.
"Writing is an essential part of the learning process, and testing and assessment are tools to validate and improve learning," said Michael Brannick, Prometric President and Chief Executive Officer. "By making essay-based testing and immediate scoring readily available in a computer-based format, test sponsors can better gauge the test takers conceptual understanding of material. And, test takers are better able to reflect a deeper level of knowledge."
Throughout the 2002-2003 school year, the VLP delivered 17.8 million tests and instructional assessments to students in 49 states, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. As the world's leading provider of online testing solutions for education, Vantage's highly sophisticated testing options better assess and challenge test-takers in all subject areas.
"The Vantage-Prometric partnership further strengthens our position that education is the currency of the new economy," says Elliot. "And a key element of education is assuring proficiency through testing and assessment."
For more information regarding the Vantage-Prometric partnership, please contact Emily DiTomo at 610.642.8253 or emily@gregoryfca.com.
About Vantage Learning
Vantage Learning, an affiliate of Vantage Laboratories and the leading provider of online assessment and automated essay scoring, developed IntelliMetric(TM) (http://www.vantagelearning.com) to meet the needs of business, education, and government agencies needing a comprehensive Internet-based test authoring, delivery, scoring and reporting platform. IntelliMetric administers and scores responses to open-ended questions over the Internet using advanced artificial intelligence technology. An individual can enter a response to a question posed, submit the response, and receive an immediate score with feedback within seconds.
Vantage provides services in 49 states including Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, Oregon and Texas, and provides services to educational leaders such as The College Board, ACT, Harcourt Educational Measurement, CTB/McGraw Hill and Thomson Learning, and industry giants such as Microsoft, Apple Computer, AOL and Sun Microsystems.
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 law, tax, accounting, financial services, higher education, reference information, corporate training and assessment, 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, corporations and government agencies with products and services for both traditional and distributed learning.
Prometric (www.prometric.com) a part of The Thomson Corporation, 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 300 clients, in more than 33 languages, over the Web or through a network of more than 3,500 testing centers in more than 140 countries. Based in Baltimore, Md., Prometric employs more than 3,000 employees worldwide.
CONTACT: Vantage Learning, Yardley
Scott Elliot, 215.579.8390
selliot@vantage.com
www.vantage.com
or
Gregory FCA Communications, Inc., Ardmore
Emily DiTomo, 610.642.8253
Emily@gregoryfca.com
