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Press Contacts: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7548
Twitter: @KapTestNews
New York, NY (April 22, 2015) — Global education leader Kaplan and the adult education software experts at Aztec Software have joined forces to offer students getting ready for a High School Equivalency Diploma the most comprehensive preparation experience available. The partnership integrates Kaplan’s highly effective content into Aztec Software’s proven computer and mobile-based program. This pairing comes at a critical time for adult learners, as recent figures show a sharp drop off in the number of people who completed a High School Equivalency. GED Testing Service® , which writes the GED® , reports successful tests fell from 540,000 in 2013 to 90,000 in 2014, and both the HiSET, Educational Testing Service’s test offering, and TASC from McGraw Hill, are too new to offer much insight. This drastic decline has been attributed by many adult education experts to the increased difficulty of the tests relative to previous versions of the GED and the change in test-taking mode, from paper and pencil to computer-based.
The combined course, called Kaplan Learning System powered by Aztec Software, is a tutorial program that not only gauges a student’s readiness with complete assessments, but creates individualized learning plans and the corresponding academic content that each learner needs to ensure success on high school equivalency exams like the GED, TASC, and HiSET. Available online, offline, and on every major mobile platform, the course allows students to prepare virtually anytime, anywhere.
“Aztec Software’s powerful approach to learning, combined with its ability to bolster adult educational development and achievement, aligns well with Kaplan’s mission of helping individuals succeed in reaching their educational and career goals ,” said Lee Weiss, head of New Product Ventures, Kaplan Test Prep. “This partnership reinforces Kaplan’s commitment to adult learners who are already in the workforce. We know that when they succeed the American economy can succeed too.”
“This partnership is a game changer in an adult education landscape that is constantly in flux,” said Jonathan Blitt, CEO of Aztec Software. “With a combined 100-plus years of experience of preparing students to successfully complete the increasingly rigorous battery of high-stakes exams, the combination of Kaplan’s deep understanding of test-taking strategies and Aztec Software’s interactive software will create the most student-centric learning experience ever offered to adults. Most importantly, adult learners, unlike their K-12 counterparts, are our current workforce. Their need is immediate, and the economic impact of more educated workers can be felt in real-time in every community in every state in the country.”
For more information, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.
GED is a registered trademark of the American Council on Education, which neither sponsors nor endorses this product.
About Kaplan Test Prep
Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com) is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings as well as a complete array of print books and digital products, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as professional licensing exams for attorneys, physicians and nurses. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services. Additionally, Kaplan operates new economy skills training (NEST) bootcamps designed to provide immersive training in skills that are in high demand in today’s job market and prepare participants for hire.
About Aztec Software
Founded in 1980 by educators, not technologists, Aztec Software has been in the business of improving adult and young adult lives through computerized skills remediation from its inception. Used throughout the country in community colleges, correctional facilities, one-stop centers, job corps centers, middle schools, and high schools, Aztec has become an integral part of today’s complete educational curriculum.
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Kaplan Offers Advice, Plus New Prep Book “5 Strategies for the New SAT”
Press Contacts: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7548
Twitter: @KapTestNews, @KaplanSATACT
New York, NY (April 8, 2015) — Today’s high school sophomores are facing a redesigned SAT — which, for the class of 2017, means a more rigorous exam, but also a unique opportunity to take and choose to submit from three different tests scores: the current SAT, the new SAT and the ACTⓇ.
“The new SAT represents a second round test opportunity for today’s sophomores, who will be the only class with the option of trying their hand at three different college admissions tests to see which gives them the best score,” said Seppy Basili, Vice President for Kaplan Test Prep’s college admissions and K12 programs and contributing editor to 5 Strategies for the New SAT. “In other words, the class of 2017 can take the current SAT this fall, then also see how they’d perform with a different version of the test next spring — in addition to having the option of taking the ACT — and choosing their best score from all three. As both the SAT and the ACT are accepted by all schools, this is an opportunity that applies uniquely to this year’s sophomores, as long as they plan ahead in order to take advantage of it.”
However, Basili notes that students planning to take the new SAT should also prepare for a more rigorous test, as upcoming changes reflect the Common Core State Standards– and states that have already been through early Common Core testing have seen a negative impact to their scores. For those who want to get an early jump on the March 2016 test, Kaplan has published 5 Strategies for the New SAT, now available on Amazon, to provide strategies and practice for the new test. Upcoming changes to the SAT include:
● Scoring: reverts back to a 1600 point scale
● Math: calculator use will be banned for several questions, more emphasis on problem solving and data analysis, including the use of informational graphics (current emphasis is on computational skills)
● Reading Comprehension: focuses on “evidence-based reading and writing” using long passage-based questions; short passage-based and sentence completion questions are eliminated
● Essay: essay becomes optional (though many schools will require it); demands thoughtful analysis of a long passage and explanation of how an author builds an argument (vs current SAT’s short prompt for a persuasive essay); moves from being the first section tested to the end of the exam
● Anatomy: shifts from ten 10-25 minute sections (3 Critical Reading, 3 Math, 3 Writing, 1 essay) plus experimental section to five 25-65 minute sections (1 Reading, 1 Language and Writing, 2 Math, 1 essay)
● Administration: will be administered both in print and digital format (current test only administered in print)
For updated information about the upcoming changes to the SAT, visit www.satchange.com. and follow us on @KapTestNews or @KaplanSATACT. And for a 40-second video explaining students’ SAT and ACT test-taking options, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QQOoyboVPo&feature=youtu.be.
SAT® is a trademark registered and/or owned by the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse this product. ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc., which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse this product.
About Kaplan Test Prep
Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com) is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings as well as a complete array of print books and digital products, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as professional licensing exams for attorneys, physicians and nurses. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services. Additionally, Kaplan operates new economy skills training (NEST) bootcamps designed to provide immersive training in skills that are in high demand in today’s job market and prepare participants for hire.
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Press Contacts: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Twitter: @KapTestNews
Fort Lauderdale, FL (April 2, 2015) — Kaplan, Inc., the global education services company and largest subsidiary of Graham Holdings (NYSE:GHC), was named among the top 100 of “America’s Best Employers for 2015” by Forbes Media. Kaplan ranked #92 on Forbes’ ranking of 500 U.S. employers across 25 industries, compiled from a survey of 20,000 employees asked how likely they would be to recommend working for their organization.
Kaplan is also one of only 26 organizations in the education category—and the only proprietary education company—included in the list. With 17,000 U.S.-based employees, Kaplan offers higher education, test preparation, professional education, English-language training, university preparation, and K-12 services to individual students, businesses and institutional partners across the globe. For more than 75 years, Kaplan and its employees have been recognized for their pioneering role in expanding educational access and being on the front-line in terms of adapting technology advancements, learning science, and course-level assessments to help achieve provably better results for their students. The company has also been named one of the most innovative education companies world-wide by Fast Company magazine (2014).
“Kaplan is honored and proud to be recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers,” said Kaplan, Inc. CEO Thomas Leppert. “Every day Kaplan’s employees are focused on changing our students’ lives, whether it’s earning a degree to open up new employment opportunities, passing an exam that affords a better education, or securing a professional credential that brightens one’s career prospects. Succeeding in this mission depends on having smart and dedicated employees and an inclusive, value-focused company culture. This recognition, by such a well-respected publication like Forbes, is a tribute to the hard work of everyone at our company.”
Forbes Media surveyed over 20,000 employees at companies with at least 2,500 people for its America’s Best Employers List. The survey was conducted with global digital data collection partners who use innovative technology and proven sampling methodologies to facilitate a deep understanding of consumer opinions and behavior. Participation in the survey was voluntary, and respondents were recruited from thousands of sources to maximize reach and representation.
About Kaplan
Kaplan, Inc. serves over 1.2 million students globally each year through its array of higher education, test preparation, professional education, English-language training, university preparation, and K-12 offerings to individuals, institutions, and businesses. Across its 75-plus year history, first as small test-prep pioneer and then an early online education leader and now a global education provider, Kaplan has been recognized for expanding educational access and using technology and learning science innovations to continually improve outcomes for its students and partners. Kaplan has operations in over 30 countries, employs more than 22,000 full- and part-time professionals, and maintains relationships and partnerships with more than 1,000 school districts, colleges, and universities, and over 2,600 corporations and businesses. Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC) and its largest division. For more information, please visit www.kaplan.com
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