PRINCETON, N.J. & TALLAHASSEE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE via COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Jul 22, 2002--Florida students and adults transitioning between careers will have online access to the latest educational and career planning services anytime, anywhere through an agreement between the State of Florida and the Educational Testing Service (ETS).
The State of Florida has continued funding for ETS`s Internet version of SIGI PLUS for a second year under a contract with the Florida Center for Advising and Academic Support (FCAAS) and its statewide student advising system - FACTS.org.
FACTS.org provides real-time information for students, parents, counselors, and other interested individuals to assist in planning for and managing their postsecondary education in Florida.
''This partnership between FACTS.org and SIGI PLUS removes barriers to education and career planning and increases access to information, an important goal of Florida`s student-centered K-20 education system,'' said Florida Secretary of Education Jim Horne. ''This collaboration also reduces the cost of products and services for Florida`s citizens and educational institutions.''
SIGI PLUS is an educational and career planning product for students and adults that users can access to plan a program of study and plan their career. Through questions presented to the user, the program matches interests and background of the user and directs them towards careers and courses of study that will prove beneficial.
Connie Graunke, Executive Director for the Florida Center for Advising & Academic Support said, ''We are very excited to partner with ETS. SIGI PLUS continues to be one of the strongest programs used by our postsecondary institutions to help individuals explore career options and make informed career decisions. We believe that successful educational planning begins with students defining their career objectives, and SIGI PLUS helps them accomplish this.''
The statewide contract with ETS provides Internet access to SIGI PLUS exclusively through FACTS.org to all 28 state community colleges, 11 state universities, 27 independent colleges and universities, and to all Florida residents that utilize the FACTS.org system. The new contract began July 1, 2002. Funding for this contract was made available through the Division of Workforce Development.
''We are proud to continue our work with Florida in their effort to deliver these educational services in the most effective and efficient ways possible,'' said ETS President and CEO Kurt Landgraf. ''This contract is a shining example of how leadership and technology can combine to benefit the students and taxpayers of Florida.''
This ETS contract has resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in savings and a more coordinated, integrated and improved delivery of services to Florida`s current and prospective postsecondary students. Coordinated marketing and outreach by FCAAS and ETS to schools, counselors and students has resulted in greater access and use of these services in Florida than was previously possible.
About FACTS.org
FACTS.org is Florida`s Internet-based statewide student advising system and provides users with a comprehensive suite of services to assist them in planning for and managing their postsecondary education in Florida. The system includes online degree evaluations, admissions applications, transcripts, career advising, institutional information, and financial aid services.
FACTS.org is a collaborative project from the Florida Board of Education and is administered by the Florida Center for Advising & Academic Support with offices in Tampa and Tallahassee, Florida.
About ETS
With estimated consolidated revenues of $700 million for FY2002, Educational Testing Service (ETS) is the world`s largest private educational testing and measurement organization and a leader in education research. The company is dedicated to serving the needs of individuals, educational institutions, and government bodies in nearly 200 countries.
ETS develops and administers more than 12 million tests worldwide. For more information, access the ETS Web site at www.ets.org.
ETS also operates two subsidiaries: Chauncey Group International www.chauncey.com, the leading provider of certification and licensing examinations for professionals, businesses and government agencies; and ETS Technologies, www.etstechnologies.com, which identifies, develops and deploys innovative technologies in support of online learning and assessment applications.
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