IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 27, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Scantron -- a recognized leader in education testing and assessment tools for more than three decades -- today announced that plain-paper scanning capabilities have been added to Achievement Series(tm). Now teachers may choose online, traditional Scantron scanning, or plain-paper scanning for scoring and testing with Achievement Series, Scantron's Web-based assessment and reporting engine.
Achievement Series is used by educators to develop and deploy tests, capture results and manage the vital information needed to make data-driven decisions that guide classroom instruction. The addition of plain-paper scanning means that schools with limited access to computers, the Internet or high volume Scantron OMR scanners can still benefit from the management and reporting capabilities of Achievement Series.
"This addition to Achievement Series sets this product apart with its flexibility in delivery and scoring. Now educators have another method to administer exams and still take advantage of the powerful test management and reporting capabilities of Achievement Series," said Tim Loomer, president of Scantron's Testing and Assessment Division. "This utility is fast, reliable and it accurately captures student data so that educators can make informed decisions about instruction."
The new capabilities are driven by Scantron's exclusive software, Scan Station, which communicates directly with Achievement Series for printing plain-paper test forms as well as scanning and pre-slugging both Scantron and plain-paper test forms. Scan Station prints customized plain-paper student answer sheets for each version of the test that include the student names and IDs, test IDs and other relevant information specified by the teacher. Pre-populating the student and test data eliminates potential errors that sometimes occur when students fill in the information themselves. Teachers can then administer those tests to their students and scan the results using a variety of popular off-the-shelf scanners. Scan Station reads the data and instantly integrates the results into its reporting engine along with the results from tests taken online, giving schools complete flexibility in how they administer tests.
This newly-added functionality and the flexibility in test delivery options distinguish Achievement Series from its competitors. Achievement Series allows teachers to develop item banks and tests individually or collaborate with others in a secure environment. Its content neutral structure further allows districts to use their own questions, Scantron's standards-aligned questions, test items from other vendors, or to combine sources of questions. These features have contributed to the rapid acceptance of Achievement Series since its launch in March 2004 and its first pilot installation in Jackson County School District, Ga.
About Scantron Corporation
Scantron Corporation (www.scantron.com) is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based John H. Harland Company (NYSE:JH). Scantron is a leading provider of software services and systems for the collection, management and interpretation of data to the educational, financial and commercial markets. The company has approximately 600 employees worldwide and annual revenues exceeding $110 million.
About Harland
Atlanta-based John H. Harland Company (NYSE:JH) (www.harland.net) is a leading provider of software and printed products to the financial and educational markets. Harland Financial Solutions, Inc. (www.harlandfinancialsolutions.com), a wholly-owned subsidiary, supplies software and services, including customer relationship management, deposit and loan origination, core systems and mortgage services, to thousands of financial institutions of all sizes. Harland's printed products offerings include checks, direct marketing and financial forms.
This press release contains statements, which may constitute "forward-looking statements." These statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of John H. Harland Company and members of its respective management, as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Reference is made to the Risk Factors and Cautionary Statements in Harland's Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed under the Securities Exchange Act.