ETS Technologies, Inc. and PLATO Learning, Inc. To Offer Online Writing Assessment

Business Wire, Nov 15, 2000

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 2000

ETS Technologies, Inc. and PLATO Learning, Inc. have announced an agreement to include the use of ETS's patented e-rater scoring technology as part of the new PLATO(R)Simulated Test System.

The agreement calls for PLATO Learning and ETS Technologies to jointly develop custom essay tests and e-rater scoring models based on state-specific standards. The advanced e-rater technology allows learners to write free-form essays, and the computer reliably scores the essay. The jointly developed custom essay tests will be offered in the writing section of the PLATO Simulated Test System, and will permit students to get an immediate and reliable essay score based upon the scoring standards in effect in their state.

The PLATO Simulated Test System is the first Web-based assessment tool to fully integrate state-standards practice tests and skills assessments that can be directly linked to individual student instruction. Available to schools on an annual subscription basis, it provides educators, parents and students with critical information on student, class, school, and district-wide test readiness. The system immediately scores each student's practice test and provides instant feedback along with automatic enrollment into an individualized learning path based upon the student's performance and identified skills gaps.

E-rater is the groundbreaking automated scoring system developed at Educational testing Service by researchers in natural language processing, a sub-field of artificial intelligence. The system was designed to analyze essays based on writing features specified in holistic scoring rubrics. E-rater scores a word-processed essay submitted via the Internet in less than 30 seconds.

Proven highly effective and accurate, e-rater has provided one of the two scores for over 600,000 examinee responses to essay questions administered as part of the Graduate Management Admissions Test. The agreement rate between e-rater and expert faculty readers on GMAT(R) essays consistently exceeds 97 percent.

"We welcome the opportunity to work with a company of the caliber of PLATO Learning. The instructional expertise of PLATO Learning, combined with the power and reliability of e-rater scoring technology, represents an ideal partnership for ETS Technologies," said Richard Swartz, ETS Technologies CEO.

John Super, vice president of strategic initiatives at PLATO Learning, said, "ETS has long been known for high quality, expertise, and innovations in educational technology. We see the ETS e-rater system bringing a powerful resource to the PLATO Simulated Test System by making it possible to immediately judge student writing proficiency and prescribe appropriate instructional resources. For busy teachers, with large classes made up of students with a wide range of learning needs, this is a must-have program."

About PLATO Learning

PLATO Learning, Inc. is a leading provider of computer-based and e-learning instruction, offering basic to advanced level courseware in reading, writing, math, science, and life and job skills. The PLATO(R) Learning System and PLATO(R) Web Learning Network provide more than 2000 hours of objective-based, problem-solving courseware and include assessment, alignment and management tools to facilitate the learning process.

With revenues of over $52 million, PLATO Learning, Inc. is a publicly held company traded as TUTR on the NASDAQ-NMS. PLATO(R) educational software is marketed to middle and high schools, colleges, job training programs, correctional institutions, military education programs, corporations and consumers. PLATO software is delivered via networks, CD-ROM, the Internet and private intranets. It is available for immediate purchase and electronic download on the company's Web site.

PLATO Learning is headquartered at 10801 Nesbitt Avenue South, Bloomington, Minnesota 55437, 952/832-1000 or 800/869-2000. The company has domestic offices throughout the United States and international offices in the United Kingdom and Canada. International distributors are located in Puerto Rico, Singapore, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The company's Web address is www.plato.com

About ETS Technologies, Inc.

ETS Technologies, Inc. is a subsidiary of Educational Testing Service. Established in May 2000, ETS Technologies, Inc. was formed to advance ETS's many technological innovations in the field of assessment. Its goal is to identify, develop and deploy innovative technologies in support of online learning and assessment applications. Through ongoing, scientifically based research, ETS Technologies aims to expand and improve educational opportunities by harnessing proven technologies in the service of learning.

Educational Testing Service is the world's largest private educational testing and measurement organization and a leader in educational research. A nonprofit company, ETS develops and annually administers more than 12 million tests worldwide.