Schooling in the Ownership Society: Pearson's edu-testing profits soar

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Pearson's edu-testing profits soar:

Pearson's edu-testing profits soar

by Mike Klonsky

London-based Pearson Publishing, the standardized testing giant, reports a72% "surge" in profits during 2011. But the profit picture in the U.S. is not as rosy as it looks. Most of the profits are coming from Penguin's ebook marketing. But it's Professional testing operation and its International Education unit, which includes Pearson schools and universities overseas., were the strongest performers, each increasing revenues by 15%.

However, it North American division actually saw a 2% dip in revenues because of what Dame Marjorie Scardino, chief executive, calls “austerity measures" affecting education spending in much of the developed world. But says Scardino, "we see significant opportunity in emerging