ETS announced that it is acquiring ACT, one of the most recognized organizations in college and career readiness. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The deal combines two mission-driven measurement organizations focused on expanding education and workforce opportunities.
ETS said the acquisition will help address major challenges facing American education by delivering solutions that help individuals learn, demonstrate skills, and connect to jobs in an economy being reshaped by AI.
Together, ETS and ACT will support pathways from school to career across all 50 states.
ACT brings deep relationships with states and districts, along with a trusted brand in K–12 and higher education.
ACT’s workforce readiness portfolio is anchored by WorkKeys, which is used by millions of job seekers and employers nationwide.
ETS said the acquisition supports its commitment to readying more than 100 million people for the next generation of jobs.
The combined organizations will help millions of people validate workplace expertise, demonstrate higher education readiness, pursue personal development goals, and improve their livelihoods.
In the near term, ACT customers and partners are expected to see no disruption to the products or services they currently use.
ACT will also gain immediate access to ETS’s expertise in measurement, innovation, and other capabilities.
ETS has recently been investing across K–12, higher education, credentialing, and AI-enabled measurement capabilities.
ETS was assisted by Vinson & Elkins as transaction counsel and Patterson Belknap as exempt organization counsel.
KEY QUOTES:
“Every student deserves a strong education, a fair shot at college, and a path to a good job. Together with ACT, we’re determined to serve students and parents along with educators and states by expanding access to education and job opportunities across America.”
Amit Sevak, CEO of ETS
“Becoming part of ETS will allow us to take what we’ve built and scale it within a broader vision for readiness. Joining ETS gives us the platform to fulfill our mission at a scale we couldn’t reach alone. This is about more students getting the guidance they deserve, and more of them finding their way forward with confidence.”
Steve Tapp, CEO of ACT
