Pearson: Difference between revisions

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{{CompanyCargo

|Founded=1998

|Logo=Pearson logo.svg

|Industry=Education, Technology, Software, Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology

|ParentCompany=Pearson plc

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|Website=https://www.pearson.com/

|Description=Largest publishing company in higher education, with focus on proprietary eBooks, online educational software and test administration

}}

~~{{Ph-C-Int}}~~

==Consumer-impact summary==

'''Pearson''' (formerly '''Pearson Education''') is the for-profit global education business arm of the '''Pearson plc''' conglomerate. Pearson provides textbooks, homework system platforms, educational content, assessment tools, exam proctoring and digital platforms to schools, universities and professional certifications worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Pearson |url=https://www.pearson.com/en-us.html |website=Pearson |date= |access-date=11 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260223025440/https://www.pearson.com/en-us.html |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Pearson Exam Proctoring |url=https://www.pearsonvue.com |website=Pearson VUE |date= |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260217020107/https://www.pearsonvue.com/ |archive-date=17 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==

===No ownership rights and limited access to purchased materials===

Pearson phased out ownership of print textbooks and replaced them with digital textbooks and subscription services. CEO John Fallon stated in 2019 that the move was made in the "hopes [it] will make more students buy its e-textbooks which are updated continually" and that the next generation of consumers, "they expect to rent not own." Purchase of print textbooks was replaced by a monthly subscription service (Pearson+) and rented e-books have limited access periods that prevent access for future referencing.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Education publisher Pearson to phase out print textbooks |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48998789 |website=BBC |date=16 Jul 2019 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20190716224605/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48998789 |archive-date=16 Jul 2019}}</ref>

Pearson also restricts copying, pasting and printing pages from purchased e-books and digital content through [[DRM]]. Unlike a physical book, a student cannot sell, give away, or lend their digital copy.

Despite using terms such as "owned" and "rented", the user is purchasing a ''limited license''.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Terms of Use {{!}} Pearson US |url=https://www.pearson.com/en-us/legal-information/terms-of-use.html |website=Pearson |date=15 December 2023 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260423160630/https://www.pearson.com/en-us/legal-information/terms-of-use.html |archive-date=23 Apr 2026}}</ref> Combined with the company's usage of required access codes for both "owned" and "rented" books and learning materials, this leaves the customer with very limited access.

===Inclusive Access and default opt-in raises tuition fees===

Pearson's use of Inclusive Access prevents students and professionals from purchasing books and materials from other sources, buying older edition textbooks, or renting materials through other sources.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Duplantis |first=Hilary |title=Inclusive Access in Higher Education: Unlocking Student Success |url=https://www.pearson.com/en-us/higher-education/insights-and-events/teaching-and-learning-blog/2024/02/inclusive-access-in-higher-education--unlocking-student-success.html |website=Pearson |date=24 Aug 2024 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250426124206/https://www.pearson.com/en-us/higher-education/insights-and-events/teaching-and-learning-blog/2024/02/inclusive-access-in-higher-education--unlocking-student-success.html |archive-date=26 Apr 2025}}</ref> Known in the publishing industry as Inclusive Access or Equitable Access programs, students are automatically charged by colleges and bookstores for access to mostly online versions of course materials assigned for their classes. This practice has enabled the growth of a digital subscription business model, as the default opt-in automatically bakes Pearson materials costs directly into student tuition and fees. Pearson claims it is to make things convenient and cheaper for students.<ref name=":0" /> There has been criticisms over extensive, round-about opt-out processes and mandatory Pearson course-ware systems used to grade homework that prevent those who do opt-out from participating in their classes.{{Citation needed|date=27 April 2026}}

===Non-disclosure agreements===

Pearson VUE's exam policy requires test candidates to accept the terms of the [[non-disclosure agreement]] (NDA) or any other terms and conditions presented to them prior to the start of the exam.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Test Candidate exam policies |url=https://certiport.pearsonvue.com/Educator-resources/Exam-policies/Test-candidate.aspx |website=Pearson VUE |date= |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251213040257/https://certiport.pearsonvue.com/Educator-resources/Exam-policies/Test-candidate.aspx |archive-date=13 Dec 2025}}</ref>

===Business model===

===Market control===

Pearson is the largest company in higher education with influence over test administration, teacher licensing, educational software, eBooks, grading, guidelines.{{Citation needed|date=27 April 2026}} The company has a history of undisclosed lobbying and applying non-profit funds towards their for-profit business.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hu |first=Winnie |title=Testing Firm Faces Inquiry on Free Trips for Officials |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/education/new-york-attorney-general-is-investigating-pearson-education.html |url-access=subscription |website=The New York Times |date=21 Dec 2011 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250617195500/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/education/new-york-attorney-general-is-investigating-pearson-education.html |archive-date=17 Jun 2025}}</ref>

==Incidents==

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===New York state-wide exams failure (''2012'')===

Pearson obtained a $32 million contract to administer New York academic tests, plus a $1 million contract to maintain testing services with the New York State Education Department.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otterman |first=Sharon |title=In $32 Million Contract, State Lays Out Some Rules for Its Standardized Tests |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/13/nyregion/new-york-in-contract-with-pearson-lays-out-rules-for-state-tests.html |url-access=subscription |website=The New York Times |date=12 Aug 2011 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418140838/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/13/nyregion/new-york-in-contract-with-pearson-lays-out-rules-for-state-tests.html |archive-date=18 Apr 2017}}</ref> In 2012, a state-wide systemic failure involving numerous test errors, printing errors, security breaches and lack of transparency affected the test scores of hundreds of thousands of students. Thousands of students were wrongly denied from graduating due to the failure and were assigned further summer school attendance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonen |first=Yoav |title=7,000 city students wrongly blocked from attending graduation |url=https://nypost.com/2012/07/26/7000-city-students-wrongly-blocked-from-attending-graduation/ |website=New York Post |date=26 Jun 2012 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/OGJf6 |archive-date=28 Apr 2026}}</ref>

===Self-dealing fraud and dissolution of Pearson Foundation (''2013—2014'')===

In December 2013, Pearson entered a settlement — without admitting wrongdoing — with the state of New York for $7.7 million after it was found to have used its non-profit foundation arm to steer business to the company. Investigations determined that Pearson contributed funds to its charity, Pearson Foundation, which then sent $540,000 of the funds to the Chief State School Officers and the copyright holder of the Common Core State Standards. Along with the {{Wplink|Gates Foundation}}, the Common Core course was sold back to the for-profit Pearson company for $15.5 million.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Gose |first=Ben |title=After a Scandal, Pearson Dissolves Foundation |url=https://www.philanthropy.com/news/after-a-scandal-pearson-dissolves-foundation/ |url-access=subscription  |website=Philanthropy |date=18 Nov 2014 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260407174850/https://www.philanthropy.com/news/after-a-scandal-pearson-dissolves-foundation/ |archive-date=7 Apr 2026}}</ref>

<blockquote>"The fact is that Pearson is a for-profit corporation, and they are prohibited by law from using charitable funds to promote and develop for-profit products." — Attorney General Eric Scheniderman.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hernández |first=Javier |title=Educational Publisher’s Charity, Accused of Seeking Profits, Will Pay Millions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/13/nyregion/educational-publishers-charity-accused-of-seeking-profits-will-pay-millions.html |website=The New York Times |date=12 Dec 2013 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250720221546/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/13/nyregion/educational-publishers-charity-accused-of-seeking-profits-will-pay-millions.html |archive-date=20 Jul 2025

}}</ref></blockquote>

As a result of the scandal, Pearson announced on 18 November 2014 that it was dissolving Pearson Foundation and expected completion of this by the end of that year.<ref name=":4" />

===Unregistered lobbying through University of Texas endowments (''December 2013'')===

After the announced settlement in New York, Jason Stanford of ''The Huffington Post'' published an article on 19 December 2013 contending that Texas state officials were failing in their oversight of Pearson.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Stanford |first=Jason |title=It's Time to Investigate Pearson in Texas, Too |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pearson-new-york-settlement_b_4469167 |website=The Huffington Post  |date=19 Dec 2013 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220518113003/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pearson-new-york-settlement_b_4469167 |archive-date=18 May 2022}}</ref> In it, he stated that:

<blockquote>[...] In 2009 and in 2010, the Pearson Foundation gave two endowments totaling $400,000 to the University of Texas College of Education, home to the Pearson Center for Applied Psychometric Research where they do "cutting edge statistical and psychometric research and evaluation services to further educational improvements ... and to inform educators, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders in the education process." And since 2000, these policymakers have given Pearson contracts totaling $1.2 billion.</blockquote>

He further went on to point out that a state audit published in July 2013 had concluded that the Texas Education Agency "lack[ed] adequate processes for monitoring the contract."<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=An Audit Report on Selected State Contracts at the Texas Education Agency |url=https://www.sao.state.tx.us/reports/main/13-042.pdf |website=Texas State Auditor's Office |date=July 2013 |access-date= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131118160546/https://www.sao.state.tx.us/reports/main/13-042.pdf |archive-date=18 Nov 2013}}</ref> Public opinion, advocates and lawmakers argued Pearson had too much influence over the state's education policy without scrutiny. Although Texas made it illegal for testing company lobbyists to serve on advisory boards and make campaign contributions, Pearson was allowed to operate without oversight. The Texas stance against lobbying was initially aimed at Sandy Kress, the architect of {{Wplink|No Child Left Behind Act|No Child Left Behind}} policy and a Pearson lobbyist who served on several state advisory boards.<ref name=":3" />

Texas ended Pearson's status as the sole testing vendor in 2016 (a relationship going back to 1980), awarding most of the testing contract to New Jersey-based Educational Testing Service and kept a fraction with Pearson.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Texas hires two companies to run STAAR, moving toward statewide online testing |url=https://abc13.com/post/staar-tests-online-texas-public-schools-cambium-assessment-pearson/9357526/ |website=ABC 13 |date=4 Jan 2021 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260407174847/https://abc13.com/post/staar-tests-online-texas-public-schools-cambium-assessment-pearson/9357526/ |archive-date=7 Apr 2026}}</ref>

===Pearson surveillance of children's social media accounts (''2015—'')===

Pearson has admitted to ongoing surveillance of online activity and social media accounts, comments made about their tests and test contents, and checking social media accounts against a list of students taking their exams. This has created backlash from parents and the consortium of states against child surveillance.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Singer |first=Natasha |title=Pearson Under Fire for Monitoring Students’ Twitter Posts |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/17/pearson-under-fire-for-monitoring-students-twitter-posts |website=The New York Times |date=17 Mar 2015 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240904041124/https://archive.nytimes.com/bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/17/pearson-under-fire-for-monitoring-students-twitter-posts/ |archive-date=4 Sep 2024}}</ref> Among the information collected includes the child's name, state of residence, and which school they attend. Pearson states the surveillance is for due diligence and test security.<ref name=":5" />

===Pearson moves to textbook subscription model (''July 2021'')===

Pearson launched their subscription service, Pearson +, in 2021, for $14.99 a month to access the platform's full library or $9.99 a month if only one textbook was needed, requiring students to subscribe to a minimum of four months.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Natalie |title=Pearson launches direct-to-consumer subscription service in bid for student sales |url=https://www.highereddive.com/news/pearson-launches-direct-to-consumer-subscription-service-in-bid-for-student/604242/ |website=K-12 Dive |date=30 Jul 2021 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250620041908/https://www.highereddive.com/news/pearson-launches-direct-to-consumer-subscription-service-in-bid-for-student/604242/ |archive-date=20 Jun 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Introducing Pearson+: The Most Student and Budget Friendly College Learning Experience |url=https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/news-and-insights/news/introducing-pearson-most-student-and-budget-friendly-college-learning |website=Pearson plc |date=30 Jul 2021 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260311175515/https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/news-and-insights/news/introducing-pearson-most-student-and-budget-friendly-college-learning |archive-date=11 Mar 2026}}</ref> Pearson reported sales growth due to their Inclusive Access deals, which automatically bills the cost of educational materials into student tuition fees rather than students purchasing books elsewhere or using secondhand sources. College administrators expressed hesitancy about using just one publisher, with some instructors pivoting toward open educational resources (OER).<ref name=":8" />

~~This is~~ a ~~list of all consumer~~-~~protection incidents this company is involved in~~. ~~Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category~~:{{~~FULLPAGENAME}}~~|~~{{PAGENAME~~}} ~~category]]~~.

===Data breach and SEC settlement (''August 2021'')===

===~~Example incident one~~ (''~~date~~'')===

On 16 August 2021, the U.S. [[Securities and Exchange Commission]] announced a $1 million settlement against Pearson for omissions and misleading investors about a 2018 data breach related to its AIMSweb1.0 web-based student performance tracking software.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Page |first=Carly |title=Pearson to pay $1M fine for misleading investors about 2018 data breach |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/08/16/pearson-to-pay-1m-fine-for-misleading-investors-about-2018-data-breach |website=TechCrunch |date=16 Aug 2021 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251003233840/https://techcrunch.com/2021/08/16/pearson-to-pay-1m-fine-for-misleading-investors-about-2018-data-breach/ |archive-date=3 Oct 2025}}</ref> The data breach had resulted in administrator login credentials of 13,000 schools, district and university customer accounts, along with millions of student usernames and passwords to be stolen. Pearson did not disclose this breach to investors until it was contacted by the media.<ref name=":7" />

~~Short summary~~ of ~~the incident (could~~ be the ~~same as the summary preceding the article)~~.

===Standards breaches and system failures (''2025'')===

===~~Example incident two (''date'')~~===

Pearson was fined more than £2 million in total (about $2.68 million in USD) in 2025 due to standards breaches in three separate cases between 2019 and 2023 that affected tens of thousands of students. Pearson failed to identify and manage failures in inconsistent grading standards, despite Britain's Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) highlighting the risks in 2022 and 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Ofqual fines Pearson £2 million for rule breaches affecting thousands of students |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ofqual-fines-pearson-2-million-for-rule-breaches-affecting-thousands-of-students |website=GOV.UK |date=15 Dec 2025 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218130806/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ofqual-fines-pearson-2-million-for-rule-breaches-affecting-thousands-of-students |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref>

...

A £1,200,000 fine had also been levied against Pearson several years prior for prolonged, systemic failures to comply with the reviews of exam marking, which must be conducted by an examiner who is not the original marker. Pearson was charged for operating under a "false assumption" of compliance.<ref name=":6" /> Problems continued even after Ofqual flagged similar problems at other exam boards, AQA and OCR. Pearson's breaches was noted to have significantly undermined and eroded public confidence in UK testing qualifications.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2022-12-13 |title=Notice of monetary penalty: Pearson, Reviews of Marking |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-of-monetary-penalty-pearson-reviews-of-marking/notice-of-monetary-penalty-pearson-reviews-of-marking |website=GOV.UK |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218024118/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-of-monetary-penalty-pearson-reviews-of-marking/notice-of-monetary-penalty-pearson-reviews-of-marking |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Products==

*MyLab®

*MyMathTest® and Mastering®

*Pearson Plus + eTextbooks

*Revel® multi-media eTextbooks and interactive learning

*Connections Academy full time online virtual Schools

*K-12 Online Schools<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pearson K-12 Online Schools |url=https://www.pearson.com/en-us/schools/products-services/k12-online-schools.html |website=Pearson |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260129074551/https://www.pearson.com/en-us/schools/products-services/k12-online-schools.html |archive-date=29 Jan 2026}}</ref>

*K-12 Assessments for School Districts

*Pearson Clinical Assessments for Professionals, including BASC™-3, aimsweb®Plus and Q-global®<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Training & Professional Development |url=https://www.pearsonassessments.com/professional-assessments/training.html |website=Pearson |date= |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260113205645/https://www.pearsonassessments.com/professional-assessments/training.html |archive-date=13 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==See also==

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==References==

==External links==

*[https://fairtest.org/pearsons-history-testing-problems/ Pearson's History of Testing Problems — FairTest.org]

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

[[Category:Education companies]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{CompanyCargo
 |Founded=1998
+|Logo=Pearson logo.svg
 |Industry=Education, Technology, Software, Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology
 |ParentCompany=Pearson plc
@@ Line 6: / Line 7: @@
 |Website=https://www.pearson.com/
 |Description=Largest publishing company in higher education, with focus on proprietary eBooks, online educational software and test administration
 }}
-{{Ph-C-Int}}
-==Consumer-impact summary==
+'''Pearson''' (formerly '''Pearson Education''') is the for-profit global education business arm of the '''Pearson plc''' conglomerate. Pearson provides textbooks, homework system platforms, educational content, assessment tools, exam proctoring and digital platforms to schools, universities and professional certifications worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Pearson |url=https://www.pearson.com/en-us.html |website=Pearson |date= |access-date=11 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260223025440/https://www.pearson.com/en-us.html |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Pearson Exam Proctoring |url=https://www.pearsonvue.com |website=Pearson VUE |date= |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260217020107/https://www.pearsonvue.com/ |archive-date=17 Feb 2026}}</ref>
-{{Ph-C-CIS}}
+==Consumer impact summary==
+===No ownership rights and limited access to purchased materials===
+Pearson phased out ownership of print textbooks and replaced them with digital textbooks and subscription services. CEO John Fallon stated in 2019 that the move was made in the "hopes [it] will make more students buy its e-textbooks which are updated continually" and that the next generation of consumers, "they expect to rent not own." Purchase of print textbooks was replaced by a monthly subscription service (Pearson+) and rented e-books have limited access periods that prevent access for future referencing.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Education publisher Pearson to phase out print textbooks |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48998789 |website=BBC |date=16 Jul 2019 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20190716224605/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48998789 |archive-date=16 Jul 2019}}</ref>
+Pearson also restricts copying, pasting and printing pages from purchased e-books and digital content through [[DRM]]. Unlike a physical book, a student cannot sell, give away, or lend their digital copy.
+Despite using terms such as "owned" and "rented", the user is purchasing a ''limited license''.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Terms of Use {{!}} Pearson US |url=https://www.pearson.com/en-us/legal-information/terms-of-use.html |website=Pearson |date=15 December 2023 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260423160630/https://www.pearson.com/en-us/legal-information/terms-of-use.html |archive-date=23 Apr 2026}}</ref> Combined with the company's usage of required access codes for both "owned" and "rented" books and learning materials, this leaves the customer with very limited access.
+===Inclusive Access and default opt-in raises tuition fees===
+Pearson's use of Inclusive Access prevents students and professionals from purchasing books and materials from other sources, buying older edition textbooks, or renting materials through other sources.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Duplantis |first=Hilary |title=Inclusive Access in Higher Education: Unlocking Student Success |url=https://www.pearson.com/en-us/higher-education/insights-and-events/teaching-and-learning-blog/2024/02/inclusive-access-in-higher-education--unlocking-student-success.html |website=Pearson |date=24 Aug 2024 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250426124206/https://www.pearson.com/en-us/higher-education/insights-and-events/teaching-and-learning-blog/2024/02/inclusive-access-in-higher-education--unlocking-student-success.html |archive-date=26 Apr 2025}}</ref> Known in the publishing industry as Inclusive Access or Equitable Access programs, students are automatically charged by colleges and bookstores for access to mostly online versions of course materials assigned for their classes. This practice has enabled the growth of a digital subscription business model, as the default opt-in automatically bakes Pearson materials costs directly into student tuition and fees. Pearson claims it is to make things convenient and cheaper for students.<ref name=":0" /> There has been criticisms over extensive, round-about opt-out processes and mandatory Pearson course-ware systems used to grade homework that prevent those who do opt-out from participating in their classes.{{Citation needed|date=27 April 2026}}
+===Non-disclosure agreements===
+Pearson VUE's exam policy requires test candidates to accept the terms of the [[non-disclosure agreement]] (NDA) or any other terms and conditions presented to them prior to the start of the exam.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Test Candidate exam policies |url=https://certiport.pearsonvue.com/Educator-resources/Exam-policies/Test-candidate.aspx |website=Pearson VUE |date= |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251213040257/https://certiport.pearsonvue.com/Educator-resources/Exam-policies/Test-candidate.aspx |archive-date=13 Dec 2025}}</ref>
+===Business model===
+{{Incomplete section}}
+===Market control===
+Pearson is the largest company in higher education with influence over test administration, teacher licensing, educational software, eBooks, grading, guidelines.{{Citation needed|date=27 April 2026}} The company has a history of undisclosed lobbying and applying non-profit funds towards their for-profit business.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hu |first=Winnie |title=Testing Firm Faces Inquiry on Free Trips for Officials |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/education/new-york-attorney-general-is-investigating-pearson-education.html |url-access=subscription |website=The New York Times |date=21 Dec 2011 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250617195500/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/education/new-york-attorney-general-is-investigating-pearson-education.html |archive-date=17 Jun 2025}}</ref>
 ==Incidents==
-{{Ph-C-Inc}}
+This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
+===New York state-wide exams failure (''2012'')===
+Pearson obtained a $32 million contract to administer New York academic tests, plus a $1 million contract to maintain testing services with the New York State Education Department.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otterman |first=Sharon |title=In $32 Million Contract, State Lays Out Some Rules for Its Standardized Tests |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/13/nyregion/new-york-in-contract-with-pearson-lays-out-rules-for-state-tests.html |url-access=subscription |website=The New York Times |date=12 Aug 2011 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418140838/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/13/nyregion/new-york-in-contract-with-pearson-lays-out-rules-for-state-tests.html |archive-date=18 Apr 2017}}</ref> In 2012, a state-wide systemic failure involving numerous test errors, printing errors, security breaches and lack of transparency affected the test scores of hundreds of thousands of students. Thousands of students were wrongly denied from graduating due to the failure and were assigned further summer school attendance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonen |first=Yoav |title=7,000 city students wrongly blocked from attending graduation |url=https://nypost.com/2012/07/26/7000-city-students-wrongly-blocked-from-attending-graduation/ |website=New York Post |date=26 Jun 2012 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/OGJf6 |archive-date=28 Apr 2026}}</ref>
+===Self-dealing fraud and dissolution of Pearson Foundation (''2013—2014'')===
+In December 2013, Pearson entered a settlement — without admitting wrongdoing — with the state of New York for $7.7 million after it was found to have used its non-profit foundation arm to steer business to the company. Investigations determined that Pearson contributed funds to its charity, Pearson Foundation, which then sent $540,000 of the funds to the Chief State School Officers and the copyright holder of the Common Core State Standards. Along with the {{Wplink|Gates Foundation}}, the Common Core course was sold back to the for-profit Pearson company for $15.5 million.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Gose |first=Ben |title=After a Scandal, Pearson Dissolves Foundation |url=https://www.philanthropy.com/news/after-a-scandal-pearson-dissolves-foundation/ |url-access=subscription <!-- Note: I was able to use uBlock Origins' element zapper mode to remove the message and anti-scrolling. -Sojourna --> |website=Philanthropy |date=18 Nov 2014 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260407174850/https://www.philanthropy.com/news/after-a-scandal-pearson-dissolves-foundation/ |archive-date=7 Apr 2026}}</ref>
+<blockquote>"The fact is that Pearson is a for-profit corporation, and they are prohibited by law from using charitable funds to promote and develop for-profit products." — Attorney General Eric Scheniderman.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hernández |first=Javier |title=Educational Publisher’s Charity, Accused of Seeking Profits, Will Pay Millions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/13/nyregion/educational-publishers-charity-accused-of-seeking-profits-will-pay-millions.html |website=The New York Times |date=12 Dec 2013 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250720221546/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/13/nyregion/educational-publishers-charity-accused-of-seeking-profits-will-pay-millions.html |archive-date=20 Jul 2025
+}}</ref></blockquote>
+As a result of the scandal, Pearson announced on 18 November 2014 that it was dissolving Pearson Foundation and expected completion of this by the end of that year.<ref name=":4" />
+===Unregistered lobbying through University of Texas endowments (''December 2013'')===
+After the announced settlement in New York, Jason Stanford of ''The Huffington Post'' published an article on 19 December 2013 contending that Texas state officials were failing in their oversight of Pearson.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Stanford |first=Jason |title=It's Time to Investigate Pearson in Texas, Too |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pearson-new-york-settlement_b_4469167 |website=The Huffington Post <!-- Name at time of publishing. --> |date=19 Dec 2013 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220518113003/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pearson-new-york-settlement_b_4469167 |archive-date=18 May 2022}}</ref> In it, he stated that:
+<blockquote>[...] In 2009 and in 2010, the Pearson Foundation gave two endowments totaling $400,000 to the University of Texas College of Education, home to the Pearson Center for Applied Psychometric Research where they do "cutting edge statistical and psychometric research and evaluation services to further educational improvements ... and to inform educators, researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders in the education process." And since 2000, these policymakers have given Pearson contracts totaling $1.2 billion.</blockquote>
+He further went on to point out that a state audit published in July 2013 had concluded that the Texas Education Agency "lack[ed] adequate processes for monitoring the contract."<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=An Audit Report on Selected State Contracts at the Texas Education Agency |url=https://www.sao.state.tx.us/reports/main/13-042.pdf |website=Texas State Auditor's Office |date=July 2013 |access-date= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131118160546/https://www.sao.state.tx.us/reports/main/13-042.pdf |archive-date=18 Nov 2013}}</ref> Public opinion, advocates and lawmakers argued Pearson had too much influence over the state's education policy without scrutiny. Although Texas made it illegal for testing company lobbyists to serve on advisory boards and make campaign contributions, Pearson was allowed to operate without oversight. The Texas stance against lobbying was initially aimed at Sandy Kress, the architect of {{Wplink|No Child Left Behind Act|No Child Left Behind}} policy and a Pearson lobbyist who served on several state advisory boards.<ref name=":3" />
+Texas ended Pearson's status as the sole testing vendor in 2016 (a relationship going back to 1980), awarding most of the testing contract to New Jersey-based Educational Testing Service and kept a fraction with Pearson.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Texas hires two companies to run STAAR, moving toward statewide online testing |url=https://abc13.com/post/staar-tests-online-texas-public-schools-cambium-assessment-pearson/9357526/ |website=ABC 13 |date=4 Jan 2021 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260407174847/https://abc13.com/post/staar-tests-online-texas-public-schools-cambium-assessment-pearson/9357526/ |archive-date=7 Apr 2026}}</ref>
+===Pearson surveillance of children's social media accounts (''2015—'')===
+Pearson has admitted to ongoing surveillance of online activity and social media accounts, comments made about their tests and test contents, and checking social media accounts against a list of students taking their exams. This has created backlash from parents and the consortium of states against child surveillance.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Singer |first=Natasha |title=Pearson Under Fire for Monitoring Students’ Twitter Posts |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/17/pearson-under-fire-for-monitoring-students-twitter-posts |website=The New York Times |date=17 Mar 2015 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240904041124/https://archive.nytimes.com/bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/17/pearson-under-fire-for-monitoring-students-twitter-posts/ |archive-date=4 Sep 2024}}</ref> Among the information collected includes the child's name, state of residence, and which school they attend. Pearson states the surveillance is for due diligence and test security.<ref name=":5" />
+===Pearson moves to textbook subscription model (''July 2021'')===
+Pearson launched their subscription service, Pearson +, in 2021, for $14.99 a month to access the platform's full library or $9.99 a month if only one textbook was needed, requiring students to subscribe to a minimum of four months.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Natalie |title=Pearson launches direct-to-consumer subscription service in bid for student sales |url=https://www.highereddive.com/news/pearson-launches-direct-to-consumer-subscription-service-in-bid-for-student/604242/ |website=K-12 Dive |date=30 Jul 2021 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250620041908/https://www.highereddive.com/news/pearson-launches-direct-to-consumer-subscription-service-in-bid-for-student/604242/ |archive-date=20 Jun 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Introducing Pearson+: The Most Student and Budget Friendly College Learning Experience |url=https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/news-and-insights/news/introducing-pearson-most-student-and-budget-friendly-college-learning |website=Pearson plc |date=30 Jul 2021 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260311175515/https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/news-and-insights/news/introducing-pearson-most-student-and-budget-friendly-college-learning |archive-date=11 Mar 2026}}</ref> Pearson reported sales growth due to their Inclusive Access deals, which automatically bills the cost of educational materials into student tuition fees rather than students purchasing books elsewhere or using secondhand sources. College administrators expressed hesitancy about using just one publisher, with some instructors pivoting toward open educational resources (OER).<ref name=":8" />
-This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
+===Data breach and SEC settlement (''August 2021'')===
-===Example incident one (''date'')===
+On 16 August 2021, the U.S. [[Securities and Exchange Commission]] announced a $1 million settlement against Pearson for omissions and misleading investors about a 2018 data breach related to its AIMSweb1.0 web-based student performance tracking software.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Page |first=Carly |title=Pearson to pay $1M fine for misleading investors about 2018 data breach |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/08/16/pearson-to-pay-1m-fine-for-misleading-investors-about-2018-data-breach |website=TechCrunch |date=16 Aug 2021 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251003233840/https://techcrunch.com/2021/08/16/pearson-to-pay-1m-fine-for-misleading-investors-about-2018-data-breach/ |archive-date=3 Oct 2025}}</ref> The data breach had resulted in administrator login credentials of 13,000 schools, district and university customer accounts, along with millions of student usernames and passwords to be stolen. Pearson did not disclose this breach to investors until it was contacted by the media.<ref name=":7" />
-{{Main|link to the main CR Wiki article}}
-Short summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).
+===Standards breaches and system failures (''2025'')===
-===Example incident two (''date'')===
+Pearson was fined more than £2 million in total (about $2.68 million in USD) in 2025 due to standards breaches in three separate cases between 2019 and 2023 that affected tens of thousands of students. Pearson failed to identify and manage failures in inconsistent grading standards, despite Britain's Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) highlighting the risks in 2022 and 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Ofqual fines Pearson £2 million for rule breaches affecting thousands of students |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ofqual-fines-pearson-2-million-for-rule-breaches-affecting-thousands-of-students |website=GOV.UK |date=15 Dec 2025 |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218130806/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ofqual-fines-pearson-2-million-for-rule-breaches-affecting-thousands-of-students |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref>
-...
+A £1,200,000 fine had also been levied against Pearson several years prior for prolonged, systemic failures to comply with the reviews of exam marking, which must be conducted by an examiner who is not the original marker. Pearson was charged for operating under a "false assumption" of compliance.<ref name=":6" /> Problems continued even after Ofqual flagged similar problems at other exam boards, AQA and OCR. Pearson's breaches was noted to have significantly undermined and eroded public confidence in UK testing qualifications.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2022-12-13 |title=Notice of monetary penalty: Pearson, Reviews of Marking |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-of-monetary-penalty-pearson-reviews-of-marking/notice-of-monetary-penalty-pearson-reviews-of-marking |website=GOV.UK |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218024118/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-of-monetary-penalty-pearson-reviews-of-marking/notice-of-monetary-penalty-pearson-reviews-of-marking |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref>
 ==Products==
-{{Ph-C-P}}
+*MyLab®
+*MyMathTest® and Mastering®
+*Pearson Plus +  eTextbooks
+*Revel® multi-media eTextbooks and interactive learning
+*Connections Academy full time online virtual Schools
+*K-12 Online Schools<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pearson K-12 Online Schools |url=https://www.pearson.com/en-us/schools/products-services/k12-online-schools.html |website=Pearson |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260129074551/https://www.pearson.com/en-us/schools/products-services/k12-online-schools.html |archive-date=29 Jan 2026}}</ref>
+*K-12 Assessments for School Districts
+*Pearson Clinical Assessments for Professionals, including BASC™-3, aimsweb®Plus and Q-global®<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Training & Professional Development |url=https://www.pearsonassessments.com/professional-assessments/training.html |website=Pearson |date= |access-date=27 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260113205645/https://www.pearsonassessments.com/professional-assessments/training.html |archive-date=13 Jan 2026}}</ref>
 ==See also==
@@ Line 29: / Line 80: @@
 ==References==
-{{reflist}}
+{{Reflist}}
+==External links==
+*[https://fairtest.org/pearsons-history-testing-problems/ Pearson's History of Testing Problems — FairTest.org]
 [[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
+[[Category:Education companies]]