Apple announces sale of PowerSchool to Pearson
Apple and Pearson on Thursday officially announced an expansion of their relationship to enhance teaching and learning through technology, where Pearson will acquire PowerSchool from Apple and develop educational content for teachers and students compatible with iPod.
Steven Dowling, president of Pearsonâs School companies, said, âPearsonâs 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 Pearsonâs goal to improve student performance.â
PowerSchoolâs web-based solutions provide K-12 administrators, teachers, students and parents with secure, up-to-the-minute information on student performance including grades, homework and attendance. They complement Pearsonâs existing enterprise and SIS business, which brings assessment, reporting and business solutions to over 16,000 schools, helping them to fulfill the accountability requirements set by No Child Left Behind.
The companies said the new integrated services will bear the respected PowerSchool name and will be located in Folsom, California and Mesa, Arizona. PowerSchoolâs 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 worldâs 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 mini.
AppleInsider reported Apple's sale of PowerSchool to Pearson on Wednesday.