Houghton Mifflin Co. News Release - June 22, 2009

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Brings Proven Singapore Mathematics Approach to the Second-Largest District in Kentucky

Eight Fayette County Public Schools will implement Math in Focus, combining the power of the Singapore approach with the support of the most trusted name in educational publishing

BOSTON — June 22, 2009 — Global education leader Houghton Mifflin Harcourt today announced the adoption of Math in Focus: The Singapore Approach in a quarter of the public elementary schools in Fayette County, Kentucky. The second-largest district in the state will implement this highly innovative and proven mathematics program in grades K–5 in the 2009–2010 school year.

In partnership with leading Asian publisher Marshall Cavendish, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has tailored the most widely used math program in Singapore for students in the United States. Aligned with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Curriculum Focal Points, Math in Focus provides a concrete-to-pictorial-to-symbolic progression of instruction and focuses on fewer topics in greater depth to give students a more comprehensive understanding of critical math topics. Math in Focus is the American version of My Pals are Here! Maths used by more than 80 percent of the students in Singapore. This program contributed to the nation's high ranking in the 2007 Trends in International Math and Sciences Study (TIMSS).

"For years, Singapore has ranked prominently in global mathematics achievement, and we are excited to bring such proven pedagogy to our schools," said Natalee Mauney Feese, math supervisor of Fayette County Public Schools. "After careful review, we are confident that Math in Focus will bring both depth and mastery to our students."

The district, with more than 36,000 students, will also partner with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to introduce Every Day Counts Calendar Math to 15 elementary schools. The ready-to-use calendar and activity sets help students see patterns, develop algebraic thinking and explore math relationships.

"Together with school districts such as Fayette County Public Schools, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is proud to play an active role in our nation's movement toward mathematics excellence," said Mike Lavelle, K–12 president, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. "Math in Focus brings us one step closer."

"We are delighted that Fayette County Public Schools is one of the first to implement Math in Focus on a significant scale," said Duriya Aziz, deputy general manager and publisher, Marshall Cavendish. "It is an affirmation of Singapore's proven math methodology and the work that Marshall Cavendish and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt have done to bring this innovative program to American classrooms."

An estimated 4,300 students in eight schools will benefit from the program in Fayette County.

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.

About Marshall Cavendish
Marshall Cavendish is an international publisher of books, directories and magazines. The Company produces material in both print and digital formats. With an extensive global network, Marshall Cavendish publishes in 13 different languages across a wide variety of genre, including education, general interest, home and library references, and business information. A publisher of choice and winner of numerous awards and accolades, Marshall Cavendish remains committed to its customers — bringing innovative, authoritative and attractive value-added products created by its rich pool of international talent. For more information, please visit www.marshallcavendish.com. Marshall Cavendish is a member of Times Publishing Limited.