EMERYVILLE, Calif., Aug. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Key Curriculum Press (‘Key’) has decided to reorganize the company around its technology products and to sell its high school mathematics textbook programs. “Key’s future is in the digital realm,” said Karen Coe, president and CEO. “As the publisher of the most widely-used learning tool for mathematics education, The Geometer’s Sketchpad, we intend to extend the influence of dynamic mathematics environments beyond the software that is in use in schools today. We also intend to embrace the emerging and important field of Data Science with TinkerPlots Dynamic Data Exploration for grades 3-8 and Fathom Dynamic Data for grades 9-12.”

Key has sold six high school mathematics textbook programs to Kendall Hunt Publishing effective August 1, 2011. The sale includes Discovering Algebra, Discovering Geometry, Discovering Advanced Algebra, Precalculus with Trigonometry, Calculus and Statistics in Action. Kendall Hunt Publishing will also assume all contractual obligations towards schools and districts in relation to these programs. Key and Kendall Hunt will work on a smooth transition of the programs, ensuring that the needs of the schools and districts that have adopted these programs will be met as students and teachers return to school.

“This decision is just one outcome of an in-depth analysis of our market and our business strengths,” said Coe. “We are the industry leader in dynamic learning tools—tools that powerfully represent the big ideas in mathematics and statistics in highly visual and interactive ways. With more student devices going into more hands—including very exciting developments in tablet computing—now is the time to thoroughly focus on our strengths in this area. We were delighted when Kendall Hunt Publishing, a company we have long admired and respected, decided to acquire our popular, inquiry-based high school mathematics textbook product line.”

“The acquisition of Key’s highly-respected and effective high school mathematics titles rounds out our roster of digital and print solutions for mathematics and broadens our commitment to the PreK-12 marketplace,” said Chad Chandlee, Kendall Hunt president and COO. “Because Discovering Mathematics and Advanced Mathematics are both strong, author-directed programs, the titles are a great fit with our mathematics curricula and align especially well with our new Math Innovations middle grades program, which is currently the only digital math curriculum for grades 6-8.”

In the coming months, Key will further analyze the future of its Integrated Mathematics Program (IMP), as well as its science programs (Engineering the Future: Science, Technology and the Design Process, and Living By Chemistry). All these programs have a very strong reputation, a strong author base and well established market positions. “We are proud of the contributions these authors have made to education and continue to support the efforts of educational leaders who champion rigorous, inquiry-based science and mathematics curricula,” said Coe.

About Key Curriculum Press

Key Curriculum Press develops effective, high-quality mathematics and science instructional materials and software. In addition, Key Curriculum Press offers professional development workshops, online courses and webinars to provide educators with the training, experience and support they need to incorporate effective teaching strategies. The company was founded by mathematics educators in 1971 and is headquartered in Emeryville, Calif. For more information, call 800-995-MATH or visit www.keypress.com.

SOURCE Key Curriculum Press