Personnel News

Private-equity firms to buy SkillSoft for $1.1 billion

E-learning software maker SkillSoft Plc said it agreed to be acquired by a consortium of private-equity firms for about $1.1 billion, an offer that investors think undervalues the company.

(Reuters, February 12, 2010) The cash offer of $10.80 per share, made by funds owned by Berkshire Partners, Advent International and Bain Capital, was 11 percent more than SkillSoft's closing price on Thursday.

Textbook Move: Ex-Yahoo Exec Becomes CEO of Chegg

Former Yahoo executive returns to Internet as CEO of online textbook rental service Chegg.com

GeoLearning's GeoMaestro Wins Unmatched Fifth Straight 'Best SaaS LMS' in 2009 Best of E-Learning! Awards

GeoLearning, Inc., the leading provider of on-demand learning and performance platforms, announced today that its GeoMaestro LMS Suite has been named "Best Software as a Service Learning Management System" in the annual Best of E-Learning! Awards hosted by E-Learning! Magazine. GeoMaestro has swept the category every year since the inception of the awards program in 2005.

(PR NewsWire, December 22, 2009)

McGraw-Hill Optimistic on Chances for Better 2010

McGraw-Hill Cos Inc expects a better year for all its businesses in 2010, helped by higher school enrollment, increased spending on textbooks and a recovery in its credit rating business, Chief Executive Harold "Terry" McGraw said on Monday.

(Reuters, December 7, 2009) NEW YORK, Dec 7 (Reuters) - McGraw-Hill Cos Inc (MHP.N) expects a better year for all its businesses in 2010, helped by higher school enrollment, increased spending on textbooks and a recovery in its credit rating business, Chief Executive Harold "Terry" McGraw said on Monday

Higher Education Company to Expand

Education Management Corp. pledged on Tuesday to create 600 local jobs over the next three years, including many at a new data center to be built in western Allegheny County.

(The Pittsburgh Tribune, December 2, 2009) Education Management Corp. pledged on Tuesday to create 600 local jobs over the next three years, including many at a new data center to be built in western Allegheny County.

In exchange for $6 million in state and county incentives, the Downtown company also promised to retain its existing 2,500-plus workers in the Pittsburgh area.

Blackboard Pledges to Follow Open Standards More Closely

June 24, 2009 This week Blackboard’s new head of course-management software, Ray Henderson, sent a letter to customers pledging that the company will do more to follow industry software standards, and to participate more actively in their development. Blackboard has long played a role in the education-technology standards developed by the IMS Global Learning Consortium. But in his letter, Mr.

Elsevier Won't Pay for Praise

June 23, 2009 As if the textbook industry didn't have an image problem already... Elsevier officials said Monday that it was a mistake for the publishing giant's marketing division to offer $25 Amazon gift cards to anyone who would give a new textbook five stars in a review posted on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Worldwide Recognition for New Pearson Test of English Academic Sees Rapid Growth

June 15, 2009 Prestigious Academic Institutions Worldwide Turning to New State-of-the-Art Measure of English Language Ability Hundreds of world-class colleges and universities around the world are now recognizing Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), a new international computer-based English language test endorsed by the Graduate Management Admission Council® (GMAC®).

New Blackboard Executive Starts Blog, Promising New Culture of Openness

June 11, 2009 The new head of Blackboard Inc.‘s course-management-software division, Ray Henderson, started a blog this week, and he’s already facing tough questions from critics. Mr. Henderson was given the job last month after Blackboard bought Angel Learning, where Mr. Henderson had led product development. Many Angel clients expressed anger at the deal but praise for the appointment of Mr.