Acquisition

Pearson PLC
25 May 2006


25 May 2006


Pearson to Acquire PowerSchool

Pearson and Apple expand education relationship


Apple(R) and Pearson today announced an expansion of their relationship to
enhance teaching and learning through technology. Pearson will acquire
PowerSchool, Apple's award-winning student information systems (SIS) division,
and develop educational content for teachers and students compatible with iPod
(R).


"Apple's commitment to education has never been stronger, which is why we're
excited to broaden our relationship with Pearson," said John Couch, Apple's vice
president of Education. "Our customers will love having Pearson's education
content on their iPods, and we're confident that PowerSchool will continue to
flourish and grow with Pearson."


Steven Dowling, president of Pearson's School companies, said, "Pearson's
commitment is to improve student performance. Student information and
achievement results are essential to teachers and families in knowing how a
student is doing and helping her make gains. The acquisition of PowerSchool, an
easy-to-use application for sharing information, and the alliance with Apple to
deliver content compatible with iPod, progresses Pearson's goal to improve
student performance."


PowerSchool's web-based solutions provide school administrators, teachers,
students and parents with secure, up-to-the-minute information on student
performance including grades, homework and attendance. They complement Pearson's
existing enterprise and SIS business, which brings assessment, reporting and
business solutions to over 16,000 schools, helping them to fulfil the
accountability requirements set by No Child Left Behind. PowerSchool will become
the lead brand for Pearson's integrated SIS business, which will be located in
Folsom, California and Mesa, Arizona. PowerSchool's president, Mary McCaffrey,
will head the combined business.


Pearson will also develop new services for educators and students, including
research-based educational content compatible with iPod, the world's most
popular digital music player. Teachers will have access to podcasts on
professional development to help with lesson preparation and provide innovative
ways to reach students struggling with specific content. Students will be able
to load their iPods with study guides that are aligned with Pearson texts and
listen to review notes to prepare for exams.


Earlier this school year, Apple and Pearson collaborated to bring digital
versions of Pearson textbooks and workbooks to California schools using the
affordable Mac(R) mini.


Ends


Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II
and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today,
Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning
desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system, and iLife and
professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital music
revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online music store.


Educating 100 million people worldwide, Pearson Education is the global leader
in educational publishing, providing scientifically research-based print and
digital programs to help students of all ages learn at their own pace, in their
own way. Virtually all students and teachers in America learn from a Pearson
program at some point in their educational career. In the US, nearly 25,000
schools use Pearson technology to help instruct K-12 students and manage how
they are doing.


For more information:


Luke Swanson/ Simon Mays-Smith/ Deborah Lincoln:
Pearson
[phone]


Todd Wilder
Apple
[phone]
[e-mail]



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