In this week’s dealmaking news, ECS Learning Systems acquired ed-tech company PREPWORKS. Also, ed-tech companies GoGuardian and Learnosity received investments.

ECS Learning Systems Acquires PREPWORKS: Texas-based test preparation publisher ECS Learning Systems has acquired PREPWORKS, a Miami-based education technology company for an undisclosed amount, according to a statement.

The acquisition adds personalized learning to ECS Learning Systems’ approach to its test preparation offerings, the company said. The move also expands PREPWORKS’ Learning Positioning System, currently focused on 7th to 12th-grade end-of-course tests, into the lower grades.  

“By combining the strengths of both companies, ECS Learning Systems will offer a new kind of blended, personalized test preparation solution that aligns with rigorous state, and college- and career-readiness standards,” the company continued.

PREPWORKS’ founder and CEO Tracy LaFlamme Ortega will join ECS Learning Systems as chief product officer, and PREPWORKS’ Michael Penney will join ECS Learning Systems, maintaining his role as CTO.

Earlier this year, Asteria Education acquired ECS and ECS company Novel Units, LLC to provide a platform for national expansion.

GoGuardian Receives Strategic Investment: GoGuardian, an education technology software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider that supports K-12 personalized learning and aims to enhances student safety, has received a strategic investment from Sumeru Equity Partners, a growth-focused technology investment firm. Financial details were not disclosed.

Alongside the investment, GoGuardian has appointed Tony Miller—a technology executive and former deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Education—to the company’s board, according to a statement.

“We are excited to partner with SEP to expand our reach and invigorate classrooms across the country with innovative tools that meet the evolving needs of today’s educators and students,” said Advait Shinde, GoGuardian’s co-founder, CEO and board director, in the announcement.

Saying that his company is the market leader in supporting the safe and effective use of education technologies, Miller added, “GoGuardian plays a critically important role today and is uniquely positioned to deliver unprecedented value to schools, teachers, students, and parents going forward.”

Battery Ventures Invests in Learnosity: Ed-tech firm Learnosity has received a “significant investment” from technology-focused investment firm Battery Ventures. Battery general partner Russell Fleischer will join the Learnosity board of directors as part of the transaction, according to a statement.

The company said it will use some of the proceeds from the new investment to target additional markets beyond K-12 education such as corporate learning, adult/vocational learning, and test preparation. In addition, Learnosity plans to continue its global expansion and explore more growth through acquisitions.

“With this investment, Learnosity can further promote innovation in the ed-tech industry with its world-class technology, and create better educational products for students around the world,” said Fleischer.

Learnosity is a SaaS company specializing in digital learning technology. It powers digital assessments for education companies including Big Ideas Learning, CenterPoint Learning (formerly Parcc Inc.), HMH, Mathletics, and Pearson.

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