Criterion® Online Writing Evaluation Service Launches Version 9.1 with Parent Communication Feature and Two New Bilingual Handbooks

CHICAGO--(Business Wire)--
The Criterion Online Writing Evaluation service, distributed by leading
educational publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, today announced the launch of
version 9.1 of its web-based application. The new version includes an innovative
communication feature that enables parents and teachers to collaborate to
improve students' writing skills, as well as an extended bilingual writing
handbook library that includes Japanese-English and Korean-English editions.

"We are committed to delivering cutting-edge, holistic assessment solutions that
benefit students within and beyond the classroom," said Mike Lavelle, K-12
president, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. "Criterion use not only appeals to various
types of learners, but to their teachers and parents as well."

The Criterion service, developed by the Educational Testing Service and
distributed by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, helps students plan, write and revise
essays and provides instant score reports and diagnostic feedback to students
and teachers for holistic instruction.

Criterion version 9.1 includes a parent communication feature that allows
teachers to send students' essays and reports, annotated with comments and
feedback, to fellow teachers, administrators and parents directly from the
Criterion service, providing them with accurate, up-to-date information on
student performance. Additionally, version 9.1 includes new Japanese-English and
Korean-English Writer's Handbooks complete with essay samples and essential
writing tips. The Criterion collection already contains seven Writer's
Handbooks, including two additional bilingual editions in Spanish-English and
Simplified Chinese-English.

"Our students are writing more, teachers are coaching more effectively and our
writing program is experiencing ongoing progress with the use of the online
Criterion program," said Kathy Richter, an English teacher at Plymouth High
School in Plymouth, Indiana.

To learn more about the Criterion Online Writing Evaluation service, visit
www.riversidepublishing.com.

About the Educational Testing Service

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) is a nonprofit organization founded in
1947 that develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually -
including the TOEFL® and TOEIC® tests, the GRE® General and Subject Tests and
The Praxis Series™ assessments - at more than 9,000 locations across more than
180 countries. In addition to creating assessments, ETS conducts educational
research, analysis and policy studies, and develops a variety of customized
services and products for teacher certification, English-language learning and
elementary, secondary and post-secondary education.

About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Boston-based Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company is a global education
leader and the world's largest publisher of educational materials for pre-K-12
schools. The Company publishes a comprehensive set of best-in-class educational
solutions, ranging from research-based textbook programs to instructional
technology to standards-based assessments for students and educators. The
Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning
literature for adults and young readers. With origins dating back to 1832,
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt combines its tradition of excellence with a commitment
to innovation. To learn more about Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, visit
www.hmhpub.com.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Katie Goers, 630-467-6036
Associate eMarketing & Communications Manager, Riverside Publishing
katie.goers@hmhpub.com
or
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Josef Blumenfeld, 508-333-0938
Vice President, Communications
josef.blumenfeld@hmhpub.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009