Scholastic Acquires Math Solutions, Leading Authority on K-12 Mathematics Instruction, Founded by Math Educator, Marilyn Burns

 

Acquisition will accelerate growth in professional development services and math intervention programs

 

New York, NY — September 13, 2010 — Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education, and media company, announced today that it has acquired Math Solutions, a leading authority on K-12 mathematics instruction, providing teachers with the highest quality professional development services, publications and resources. Founded by renowned mathematics educator and author, Marilyn Burns, Math Solutions has previously worked with Scholastic to create Do The Math®, the award-winning math intervention program that gives students who have fallen behind the chance to catch up and keep up. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"Math Solutions leads the field in professional development services for math. They also publish award-winning books and resources and are developing a diagnostic mathematics assessment tool with funding from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Joining the expertise of Marilyn Burns and the Math Solutions team with the experience and reach of Scholastic Education, we will provide comprehensive district-wide school improvement solutions in mathematics along with a robust suite of math intervention programs comparable to our highly successful offerings in reading and language arts,” commented Margery Mayer, President, Scholastic Education.

Marilyn Burns added, “Math Solutions and Scholastic have enjoyed a long-standing working relationship and this is an excellent opportunity to formalize our collaboration around our shared belief that all children can learn and that high quality teaching is the single most important factor for raising student achievement."

The Math Solutions team will partner closely with Scholastic's recently announced Scholastic Achievement Partners professional services organization in a collaborative effort to develop and define comprehensive approaches for increasing school performance. Math Solutions will operate as a business unit of Scholastic Education, with Christine Willig continuing to serve as CEO and President of Math Solutions. Under the terms of the agreement, Marilyn Burns will act as math education consultant to Scholastic.

"Having Marilyn and the Math Solutions team working with Scholastic’s mathematics program developers and educational consulting and professional development teams will allow us to expand our capacity to do what we do best: help district leaders implement turnaround strategies, help teachers become more effective with a comprehensive suite of math intervention programs and ultimately help children achieve their full potential," Mayer added. "With Do the Math, Marilyn has been a key author and advisor for mathematics instruction and professional development at Scholastic, and she will now provide even greater guidance in developing math products, services and solutions that will help us continue to grow our educational technology and consulting businesses."

About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology and related services and children’s media. Scholastic creates quality books, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, magazines, multi-media and other products that help children learn both at school and at home. The Company distributes its products and services worldwide through a variety of channels, including school-based book clubs and book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, on-air, and online at www.scholastic.com.

Contact:

Media: Kyle Good good@scholastic.com 212-343-4563

Investors: Jeffrey Mathews jmathews@scholastic.com 212-343-6741