Press Release - April 18, 2006
Vantage Learning Continues Leading Online Testing Industry
Fifty-eight percent YTD growth over last year continues national trend of online testing; Vantage sets the standard for online assessment, including automated essay scoring
Newtown, Pa., April 18, 2006 - On the heels of a record 147 million online test transactions in 2005, Vantage Learning (www.VantageLearning.com), the world's leading provider of online assessment tools, announced that transaction volume grew to 38 million test transactions throughout the first three months of 2006, or approximately 58% above the prior year volume.The state of Oregon, one of Vantage Learning's clients, delivered almost one million tests last year through the state's computer-based testing system Technology Enhanced Student Assessment™ (TESA). With many benefits over conventional paper-and-pencil tests, this system uses Web-based tests to measure the achievement of students. TESA allows students up to three opportunities to test, and delivers their scores upon completion of the test for immediate feedback to the students and teachers. It also eliminates the cost of test booklets, answer sheets, and shipping and handling.
"We're thrilled with the results of our Web-based testing program," says Doug Kosty, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Assessment and Information Services, Oregon Department of Education. "Web-based testing is secure and less expensive to deliver. Best of all, students and teachers get immediate results. We're pleased with the results of our web-based testing program and expect 90% of our knowledge and skills tests will be administered through the web-based system this year."
Oregon State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo previously announced that most Oregon students showed significant improvement in their performance on the 2005 statewide assessment tests in reading, math, and science. She credited Oregon's use of computer-based testing and excellent classroom instruction for the increases.
Vantage Learning's owned and developed proprietary Vantage Learning Platform™ (VLP) is used extensively for development and delivery of online assessment systems. Vantage's IntelliMetric® engine uses a rich blend of artificial intelligence and expert knowledge to accurately assess students' competency and progress in subjects ranging from reading and writing, to science, to social studies. It also grades constructed response and open-ended questions consistently and reliably. Selected by ACT, The College Board, and the Graduate Management Admission Council® for essay-scoring, IntelliMetric has become the gold standard for accuracy and quality in essay scoring by differentiating the way writing is reviewed within the software.
"Vantage has sidestepped the recent negative press about scoring errors in teacher- and student-taken high stakes assessments by instead developing an innovative, technology-driven solution," says Peter Murphy, CEO of Vantage Labs, parent organization of Vantage Learning. "While other testing companies rely heavily on overworked human scoring services, we invest heavily in our infrastructure, and scale our technology to assure on-demand needs. As a result, our strong focus on the quality, consistency, and reliability of our technologies assures organizations that we can deliver high volume, high quality assessments, and keeps us well ahead of the competition."
About Vantage Learning
With over 146 million online test transactions last year, Vantage Learning is the world's leading provider of online assessment and automated essay scoring. Recognized as the gold standard for scoring quality, consistency, reliability, and scalability, Vantage Learning's award-winning education tools meet the needs of educators and school administrators, businesses and government agencies that need a comprehensive Internet-based test authoring, delivery, scoring, and reporting platform. Vantage developed IntelliMetric®, which administers and scores responses to open-ended questions over the Internet using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Vantage Learning's MY Access!® instructional writing program won two Codie Awards in 2005 for Best Instructional Program - Secondary and Best Instructional Program - English Language Learners, is a 2006 Codie Awards Finalist in three categories, is a 2004 Award of Excellence winner from Technology and Learning Magazine, and Eduventures selected Vantage Learning as one of the eight most innovative educational technology companies.
Vantage Learning provides services across a broad spectrum of clients. The College Board, ACT, and the Graduate Management Admission Council® all utilize Vantage technologies for college readiness and admissions. Oregon, Mississippi, Texas, and Virginia leverage the Vantage Learning Platform™ for formative, summative, and computer adaptive assessments that drive instructional programs. Respected publishers like Hampton-Brown offer customized versions to support assessment linked to their proprietary content. School districts such as Los Angeles Unified School District, Red Clay DE, Milwaukee Public Schools, Newark Public Schools, and many other respected districts integrate MY Access! into their core language arts curriculum Learn more at www.VantageLearning.com.