UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of May 2006
PEARSON plc
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
N/A
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
80 Strand
London, England WC2R 0RL
44-20-7010-2000
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Yes No X
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This Report includes the following documents:
1. A press release from Pearson plc announcing Acquisition
31 May 2006
PEARSON TO ACQUIRE CHANCERY SOFTWARE LTD
Pearson, the world's leading education company, today announced the acquisition
of Chancery Software Ltd., a leading provider of student information systems
(SIS) in the K-12 US school market.
Over the past 20 years, Chancery has built a range of software tools to help
schools and districts collect and manage student information such as
enrollments, scheduling, attendance, grading, and student performance. Chancery
is the second largest SIS company in the US market with an installed base of
6,000 schools and recognized capabilities in building, installing and supporting
customized systems for large school districts.
Pearson is the market leader in the enterprise and student information systems
business with an installed based of more than 16,000 schools. It provides SIS
solutions for K-12 school districts combining student information, assessment,
reporting, and business solutions to fulfill the accountability requirements set
by No Child Left Behind through its SASI school server-based product and its
Centerpoint web-based offering. These products lead the SIS market for small-
and mid-sized school districts.
Last week Pearson also announced the acquisition of PowerSchool, the third
largest school SIS provider, from Apple. Chancery and PowerSchool will be
integrated into a single company, Pearson School Systems, operating under the
leadership of Mary McCaffrey.
Steven Dowling, president of Pearson's School Companies, said:
"Student information is central to our goal of helping schools raise student
achievement through personalized learning. The acquisitions of PowerSchool and
Chancery transform our SIS business, doubling its size and enabling us to offer
the pre-eminent software solutions for all levels of schools and districts
(small, medium, and large). All three businesses have a long and successful
history of investment and innovation, and together we will continue to develop
new services to help schools achieve their goals."
"The large districts that Chancery supports require a very high level of
customization and support as they build and install their systems. Chancery has
a great deal of experience and talent in this area and will bring a lot to
Pearson."
About Pearson Education
Educating 100 million people worldwide, Pearson Education is the global leader
in educational publishing, providing scientifically research-based print and
digital programs to help students of all ages learn at their own pace, in their
own way. Virtually all students and teachers in America learn from a Pearson
program at some point in their educational career. In the U.S., nearly 25,000
schools use Pearson technology to help instruct K-12 students and manage how
they are doing. Pearson Education is a business of Pearson, the international
media company (LSE: PSON; NYSE: PSO).
About Chancery Software
Chancery Software ( www.chancery.com) is one of the leading providers of Student
Information Systems for K-12 schools, districts, classrooms, and homes. Chancery
solutions offer accurate real-time information on more than thirteen million
students to one million educators every day. Built to address the challenges
faced by today's districts, Chancery Student Management Solutions are uniquely
aligned to meet the accountability and reporting requirements of the No Child
Left Behind Act. With over 20 years of industry firsts and implementations,
Chancery's customized SIS solutions meet the needs and budgets of diverse
schools and districts throughout North America.
Ends
For more information:
Pearson
Simon Mays-Smith/ Deborah Lincoln: +44 (0)20 7010 2310
Wendy Spiegel: +1 (212) 782 3482
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
PEARSON plc
Date: May 31, 2006
By: /s/ STEPHEN JONES
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Stephen Jones
Deputy Secretary