Web-Based Learning Tool Recognized as "Superb Learning Environment" for Building Literacy Skills

BOULDER, Colo. -- WriteToLearn[TM], the innovative Web-based learning tool for developing writing and reading comprehension skills, is the winner of a 2007 Best Educational Software (BESSIE) Award. WriteToLearn from Pearson Knowledge Technologies was recognized as the best language arts Web site in the "Upper Elementary" category.

This is the thirteenth year that ComputED Learning Center, San Diego's leading computer education resource, has presented the BESSIE awards, recognizing innovative and content-rich programs and Web sites that provide parents and teachers with the technology to foster educational excellence. Winners are selected from titles submitted by software publishers from around the world.

With WriteToLearn, students practice essay writing and summarization skills, and their efforts are measured by the state-of-the-art Knowledge Analysis Technologies([TM])(KAT) engine, which automatically evaluates the meaning of text by examining whole passages.

WriteToLearn was one of 10 winners selected by the judges for a written review. Praising the learning tool, the reviewers said, "If every fourth and fifth grade teacher in the country used WriteToLearn across the curriculum, we would have far fewer literacy problems in secondary schools, and much happier students."

Concluding, they said, "When students spend extensive time practicing and perfecting reading and writing skills, test scores dramatically improve - and this 2007 BESSIE winner offers a superb learning environment for achieving that goal."

"As an increasing number of schools adopt WriteToLearn to help their students build critical literacy skills, it is exciting to have our product recognized by the education leaders at ComputED," said Lynn Streeter, president, Pearson Knowledge Technologies.

This honor for WriteToLearn falls closely on the heels of the launch of its newest update. Debuted in late April, WriteToLearn 3.0 now provides students with expanded feedback on their essays and gives teachers a tool for targeting their students with ability-appropriate reading passages. WriteToLearn 3.0 gives students a score for each of six traits of writing: ideas, organization, conventions, sentence fluency, word choice and voice. WriteToLearn 3.0 also offers students expanded feedback on how to improve their essays and their scores on each of the traits.

For more information about ComputED and the 2007 BESSIE Awards, visit www.computedgazette.com. More information about WriteToLearn is available at www.WriteToLearn.net.

About Pearson Knowledge Technologies

Pearson Knowledge Technologies is the developer of products and services based on a unique automated text analysis technology that evaluates the meaning of whole passages. The company's Knowledge Analysis Technologies (KAT) engine immediately measures writing and content in a way that simulates a skilled human grader and encourages better subject knowledge. Pearson Knowledge Technologies' writing and reading skills products, such as WriteToLearn, Intelligent Essay Assessor and Summary Street, use the KAT engine to help improve writing, reading and comprehension skills as well as build content knowledge for education and other markets. For more information, visit www.PearsonKT.com

Pearson Knowledge Technologies is a business of Pearson Education, the world's largest integrated education company, which in turn is part of Pearson (NYSE: PSO), the international media company. Pearson's other primary operations include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group.