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Wireless Generation Acquires Writers' Express

Ed tech provider Wireless Generation has announced it has acquired The Writers' Express (WEX), creator of a unique method for developing writing skills, as well as curricula and professional development for the teaching of writing.

Founded in 1994 by history teachers Deborah Reck and Arthur Unobskey, WEX grew out of their frustration with their students struggles with difficulty in reading and writing. Initially, the pair started a summer writing camp for inner city students, using novel instruction methods to help them build both skills and a passion for self-expression through writing.

The United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences recently awarded $2.2 million to research group Education Development Center to scientifically evaluate the effectiveness of the WEX grades 3-12 curriculum and methods. Preliminary results of the study are expected in the summer of 2011.

"Wireless Generation and WEX are well-aligned. Both organizations are thinking creatively about instructional challenges, and finding better ways to help teachers overcome them," said Reck. "Wireless Generation has also proven its ability to bring innovation to scale in K-12 education, and offers WEX an exciting opportunity to reach many more educators and students."

Added Larry Berger, CEO and co-founder of Wireless Generation, "With WEX, we gain nationally recognized expertise in writing instruction and a best-in-class program that complement and enhance our ability to address English Language Arts. As common academic standards emerge, we anticipate a corresponding imperative for writing skills to be explicitly addressed in instruction and assessment."

Wireless Generation said that Reck will stay on as CEO of WEX, working out of the group's current headquarters in Cambridge, MA.

About the Author

Scott Aronowitz is a freelance writer based in Las Vegas. He has covered the technology, advertising, and entertainment sectors for seven years. He can be reached here.

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