Archipelago Learning Acquires English Language Learning Provider Alloy Multimedia

Executing on Strategy to Offer Teachers a Comprehensive, Fully Digital Supplemental Solution

Archipelago Learning, a leading subscription-based, software-as-a-service provider of education products, announced recently that it has acquired Houston-based Alloy Multimedia, publisher of ESL ReadingSmart, an online, standards-based program for English language learners (ELL), for $2.0 million in cash, and the founder will receive a royalty on future net sales of ESL ReadingSmart. The transaction closed on June 24, 2011.

"We are excited to complete the acquisition of Alloy Multimedia and its flagship product ESL ReadingSmart, and welcome Clara Rojas and her team into our organization. ESL ReadingSmart is another high quality, rigorous and engaging product to add to Archipelago's portfolio, and enables us to better meet a growing need for our customers," said, Tim McEwen, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer for Archipelago Learning. "We continue to take the necessary steps toward delivering on our strategy to become a leading provider of digital supplemental education by offering a comprehensive suite of products."
He went on to say, "There are approximately six million English language learners enrolled in K-12 schools in the U.S. annually, and that number has grown by nearly five percent per year. We believe a compelling online ELL product that is simple to implement and use, is engaging, and actually works, will serve as an invaluable tool to help teachers improve the English language proficiency and academic performance of these students."

Clara M. Rojas, Founder of Alloy Multimedia commented, "We are enthusiastic about becoming part of the Archipelago Learning product set and family. English language learners are a growing and underserved student-base. With Archipelago Learning, a proven digital education provider with a robust sales and marketing infrastructure, we will be able to offer ESL ReadingSmart to millions of students across the U.S."

Launched in 2002, Alloy Multimedia publishes ESL ReadingSmart, an online, standards-based program for English language learners targeted toward grades 4-12. The product offers individualized, content-based instruction to develop English language proficiency with emphasis on literacy and academic language development for newcomers, beginners, intermediate, early advanced, and advanced English learners. ESL ReadingSmart is currently used in approximately 350 schools, primarily in Texas.

We plan to fully integrate Alloy Multimedia into Archipelago Learning this year with six employees joining our operations. Mark S. Dubrow, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Archipelago Learning commented, "We view this strategic opportunity to enter the ELL market as an effective use of free cash flow to enhance shareholder value. We anticipate that this acquisition will be accretive in year two."

Archipelago Learning Unveils Enhancements to its Study Island Digital Lessons

Archipelago Learning a subscription-based software-as-a-service provider of education products announced the release of Study Island’s Fall enhancements that include mobile optimization, new games, interactive flash animations and enhanced lessons

In a release, Tim McEwen, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Archipelago Learning said, “Districts and schools are under immense pressure to improve student performance, while dealing with severe budget constraints and changing state and federal accountability mandates.”

“With the launch of these enhancements, educators using Study Island have the latest customizable digital education tools to increase student learning and improve academic performance, all in one affordable, easy to use web-based solution,” McEwen added.

According to company sources these new enhancements are expected to help educators and students enjoy easy access to a better learning experience. It will also showcase how Study Island makes the print-to-digital transition affordable and easy for schools. Study Island is actually a high impact, low cost educational solution offering standards-based instruction, practice, assessment and productivity tools.

Besides being very useful for K-12 students and their teachers this updated offering will be suitable for use on mobile devices such as iPad, iTouch, and iPhone besides Android tablet and smartphone devices.

This enables teachers and students to easily access Study Island lessons, activities, and reports from any connected mobile device, emphasized officials.

The new lessons will come with easier navigation, and new videos, slide shows and interactive animations that are sure to increase engagement and reinforce academic concepts. Study Island’s new animations will feature interesting characters, for 2nd through 5th grade math and English language arts that will facilitate individualized, self-paced instruction or whole-class instruction on interactive whiteboards.

Study Island ensures that the lessons and activities are designed to suit individual state standards and Common Core State Standards. The lessons offer fun-based and engaging content in math, reading, writing, science and social studies.

Also the real-time reporting on student performance will help teachers to differentiate instructions using a research-based content bank that encompass more than 440,000 unique items which will prepare students for state assessments. The product also includes tools for parent communication and professional development added officials.

In related news a recent report published by education market research firm Simba Information reveals that the highly competitive PreK-12 landscape will go digital soon owing to budget constraints. The study shows that the digital courseware segment will drive the PreK-12 school market, growing 34 percent to $1.43 billion by 2014.