Industry News

Ed Tech Investor that Owns Edgenuity Also Buys Up Compass Learning

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 08/08/16

An investment company focused on digital and software-as-a-service education solutions has expanded its reach into online and blended learning environments. Weld North Holdings, which owns ed tech company Edgenuity, has also acquired Compass Learning.

Both firms produce standards-based digital curriculum products. Edgenuity, based in Scottsdale, AZ, focuses on online courseware for credit recovery and blended learning in grades 6-12. Compass Learning, in Austin, TX, produces intervention and skills instruction for math and reading/language arts in grades K-8. Both offices will be retained, according to Weld North. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Recently, Edgenuity made a new history course for middle school available to customers in North Carolina. This new course adds to that state's elective offerings, which also cover career management, health science and foundations of information technology.

In January Compass Learning was chosen by the Texas Education Agency to provide its Pathblazer software for reading and language arts to students in grades 6-8 as part of that state's Student Success Initiative.

Now the joint offerings will span K-12, noted Edgenuity CEO Sari Factor in a press release. "Schools need a provider to help them implement effective strategies to integrate online curriculum. Both Edgenuity and Compass Learning have established strong reputations for delivering engaging, research-based solutions that propel learning. Together, we are well-equipped to realize our mission of helping all students achieve academic success."

Weld North also owns the following companies:

• Imagine Learning, a provider of language and literacy software for struggling readers, early childhood students and English language learner students;
• Generation Ready, a national provider of professional development services;
• Performance Matters, which adds analytics to learning initiatives;
• The Learning House, an online education company that works with colleges and universities in delivering online degree programs; and
• Intellify Learning, a learning data management and analytics solutions provider.