International Baccalaureate C

RNS Number : 9757E

RM PLC

05 January 2010

 



5 January 2010

RM agrees outsourcing framework with the International Baccalaureate

RM has entered into a framework agreement with the International Baccalaureate (IB) under which it will provide outsourced, on-screen e-marking services for the IB's flagship diploma qualification. RM previously announced on 20 April 2009 that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the IB, covering the development and delivery of e-marking services.

RM Assessment and Data Services will provide a complete on-screen marking service, based around the Group's innovative scoris® e-marking system, for the IB's 6,500 examiners. The solution includes an examination script scanning service, a sophisticated computer-based marking environment, and electronic return & collation of marks, all controlled by a sophisticated workflow system. The service will support more than 2,800 schools across over 138 countries which offer the IB Diploma Programme. 

The framework is initially expected to be worth in excess of £7m over five years to RM; this is likely to increase in line with growing demand for the IB's qualifications.

Terry Sweeney, Chief Executive of RM, said:

"We have been working with the IB for more than a year, developing an on-screen marking service for their range of qualifications. We are now at the point that our service will become a key part of the way the IB manages its rapidly-growing Diploma Programme.

"With multi-year strategic relationships in place with UK examination board Cambridge Assessment and accountancy qualifications provider the ACCA, and today's announcements of framework agreements with the IB and government agency QCDA, RM is a world-leader in on-screen marking services."

Jeffrey Beard, Director General of the IB, said: 

"With strong, growing demand for IB qualifications, we need to ensure that we have an efficient and effective examination delivery framework in place for IB World Schools around the globe. It's clear to us that, in the future, students, schools and examiners will expect modern technology to be part of that framework. 

"With its scoris on-screen marking software, and a proven delivery capability, RM's leading expertise in assessment technology can help us serve both today's and tomorrow's schools with improved quality and in a more effective fashion."

For further information, please contact: 

Mike Greig/Phil Hemmings, RM plc	08450 700300
Chris Blundell/Franziska Boehnke, Brunswick	020 7404 5959

Notes:

• The RM Group is a leading provider of educational solutions that help teachers to teach and learners to learn. RM works closely with educationalists to create new products, processes and technology which improve education. RM is listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol RM.L, ISIN GB0002870417. Further details are available at ww.rm.com/investors and through the Group's investor blog at rminvestors.wordpress.com

• The International Baccalaureate (IB) offers three high quality and challenging educational programmes for a worldwide community of schools. There are more than 775,000 IB students at 2,816 schools in 138 countries. Over 40 years, the IB's programmes have established a reputation for high academic standards, for preparing students for life in a globalized 21st century, and for helping to develop the future citizens who will create a better, more peaceful world. The IB's headquarters are in Geneva. Further details are at www.ibo.org

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