Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Introduces First Common Core-Aligned Program to Improve Literacy Achievement


BOSTON — March 7, 2011 — Global education leader Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) today announced Holt McDougal Literature©2012 — a comprehensive solution aligned with Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts. This is the first Common Core literature anthology published by HMH.

"HMH is committed to partnering with districts to align teaching and learning programs with Common Core State Standards. Holt McDougal Literature 2012 offers implementation options that blend print and digital instructional materials with professional development to ensure a smooth transition to the Common Core,” said Jim O′Neill, Senior Vice President of Portfolio Management, HMH. “This program includes well–loved literature and the challenging text analysis and critical thinking exercises that align with the new Common Core State Standards."

As school districts across the country begin the transition to Common Core State Standards, students need curriculum with tailored instruction to meet the rigor of the new standards. HMH′s best–in–class content addresses this need, and also gives teachers a supportive professional development option to ensure they are prepared to meet these demands.

The Common Core State Standards reflect an unprecedented emphasis on informational text in both reading and writing. While past series emphasized literature, Holt McDougal Literature 2012 provides extensive informational text in each unit to help the reader reach a deeper level of comprehension. The writing strand in Holt McDougal Literature 2012 also reflects the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2011 Writing Framework by including an emphasis on argumentation and informational or expository writing workshops.

In addition to reading and writing literary and informational texts, the program emphasizes language skills. Students also apply writing skills to speaking and listening as they compose and deliver their ideas in both formal presentations and informal discussions. By addressing all strands of the Common Core State Standards, Holt McDougal Literature 2012 prepares students for every aspect of communication in the 21st Century.

The online component of Holt McDougal Literature 2012 allows students to continue their work at home, featuring interactive readers, video trailers for background information, an audio tutor, additional independent practice in vocabulary and grammar, and an online tutorial system that can be accessed by students, teachers and parents. This element of the program is specifically suited to the way today′s students learn and interact and encourages engagement and self–driven, individualized learning.

For more information about Holt McDougal Literature 2012, visit hmheducation.com/hmliterature.

The Common Core State Standards is a state–led effort coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The standards provide a clear and consistent framework that defines the knowledge and skills students should have within their K–12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry–level, credit–bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs. Officially released in June 2010, the standards provide guidelines for English, Language Arts and Mathematics.

HMH has taken a leadership role in publishing Common Core–aligned content, as school districts throughout the country have turned to the company for support in transitioning to the new guidelines. HMH′s Common Core Transition Model provides teachers and administrators with resources and guidance in three key areas: Professional Services, Instructional Materials and Assessment and Data Management. In addition to classroom–embedded training and teacher demonstrations, the Common Core Transition Model delivers an array of student and teacher materials to address each schools specific adoption needs as well as tools to map positive student outcomes to instructional strategies and teacher behaviors so that best practices can be shared amongst educators.

In addition to Holt McDougal Literature 2012, recent examples of HMH resources that comply with Common Core State Standards include Go Math! and Math Fact Fluency.


About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is a global education and learning company that is leading the way with innovative solutions and approaches to the challenges facing education today. The world’s largest provider of educational products and solutions for pre-K–12 learning, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt develops and delivers interactive, results-driven learning solutions that advance teacher effectiveness and student achievement. Through curricula excellence and technology innovation, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt collaborates with school districts, administrators, teachers, parents and students. Today, HMH education products and services are used by 57 million students throughout all 50 U.S. states and 120 countries. With origins dating back to 1832, the Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning literature for adults and young readers. For more information, visit www.hmhpub.com.