Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), a learning technology company committed to delivering connected solutions that engage learners, empower educators and improve student outcomes, has recently announced its acquisition of NWEA, a not-for-profit research and educational services organization serving K-12 students. The companies will harness the collective power of instruction and research-based insights to support educators to drive better student outcomes.
Post the acquisition, NWEA CEO Chris Minnich will join HMH’s executive leadership team as president of a new NWEA division. The division will maintain its current offerings, including its flagship assessment MAP Growth, and continue offering platform-agnostic assessment solutions to its thousands of global partners. In addition, educators will benefit from a connected solution linking NWEA’s assessments with HMH’s curriculum. This will enable them to understand better how students are growing academically and how to maximize that growth with content-specific recommendations that advance student learning.
HMH brings learning to countless students and teachers—transforming lives, supporting communities, and making society more just and inclusive for all. The Company offers a connected system of research-backed solutions, where assessment drives instruction and learning can be personalized to meet students’ needs. Its engaging, equity-minded content and customized PD are designed to elevate the potential of every learner.
Speaking about the acquisition, Chief Executive Officer of HMH, Jack Lynch, said:
We are thrilled to welcome NWEA’s talented and innovative team to the HMH community. Together, we are deeply focused on the transformative power of education. We look forward to diving into our collective work supporting students and teachers.
Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the firm delivers a digital teaching system that puts K–12 programs and PD in one place. The platform serves over 50 million students and 4 million educators in 150 countries.
Proceeds from the acquisition will fund the formation of a new private foundation that will be headquartered in Oregon and serve students and educators nationwide. In the following year, the foundation will determine a name and its entire structure and provide details of its mission, including what grant programs will be available.
HMH is a portfolio company of Veritas Capital (“Veritas”), a leading investor at the intersection of technology and government. Veritas acquired HMH in April 2022.
NWEA (formerly known as Northwest Evaluation Association) is a mission-driven organization that supports students and educators in more than 146 countries through research, assessment solutions, policy and advocacy services, professional learning and school improvement services that fight for equity, drive classroom impact and push for systemic change in the educational communities. The Company aims to help kids get what they need in the classroom to pursue their passions, shape their future, and realize their potential.
As a part of the transaction, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as the exclusive financial advisor to NWEA, and Hogan Lovells US LLP served as the Company’s legal advisor. Davis Wright Tremaine LLP also acted as legal advisor to NWEA. Milbank LLP acted as HMH’s legal advisor.
