CrossKnowledge Partners with Junior Achievement USA to Support Future Entrepreneurs

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Sep 29, 2015, 10:00 ET

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Sept. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Junior Achievement USA^® and CrossKnowledge—the distance learning brand of John Wiley and Sons, Inc.—today announced a joint partnership that will bring digital learning solutions to thousands of students and educators. As part of the agreement, CrossKnowledge has donated the use of its Learning Management System (LMS) to Junior Achievement USA (JA) for the next five years (starting in 2016) through the CrossKnowledge Foundation. This in-kind contribution is one of the largest of its kind in the history of JA.

To support its digital delivery strategy, JA selected CrossKnowledge out of hundreds of potential partners to help achieve this goal. The LMS allows students, educators and JA's network of more than 218,000 classroom volunteers to easily access JA curriculum using an electronic device and internet connection. The blended learning model also supports an in-person delivery of curriculum content to students in the classroom, helping to prepare them for the workforce and life after graduation.

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to empowering young people to own their economic success. The organization serves 4.6 million students each year in 113 U.S. markets and another 5.6 million students in 121 countries worldwide.

"JA is in the midst of an historic transformation that will allow our organization to pair JA volunteer mentors with digitally delivered curriculum as part of a blended-learning experience that will positively impact the students we serve," said Jack E. Kosakowski, President and CEO, Junior Achievement USA. "CrossKnowledge and its parent company Wiley have made a transformational gift that will eventually change the lives of millions. We cannot thank them enough for their generosity and dedication to our mission of inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in the global economy."

It is estimated that nearly 300,000 Junior Achievement users will access CrossKnowledge programs in 2016 and that figure is expected to reach 1.6 million in 2020. "We are pleased to provide Junior Achievement users with a complete range of courses that will help them develop the critical skillsets needed in the 21^st century organizations and succeed in their future career," said Christophe Peron, Head of North America, CrossKnowledge.

"Wiley, through our CrossKnowledge brand is proud to support the future generations of business leaders who are part of the Junior Achievement program," said Mark Allin President and CEO, Wiley.

About Junior Achievement USA^® (JA)
Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches 4.6 million students per year in 113 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.6 million students served by operations in 121 other countries worldwide. Junior Achievement USA is a member of JA Worldwide. Visit www.ja.org for more information.

About CrossKnowledge
CrossKnowledge provides digital learning solutions built on exclusive learning technologies and a catalog of 20.000 learning objects in the fields of management and leadership available 16 languages. CrossKnowledge's learning content and teaching formats are developed in collaboration with an international 'Faculty', comprising the best experts and professors from the most renowned Business Schools in the world. CrossKnowledge serves companies of all sizes and all sectors, spanning more than 7 million users. For more information visit http://www.crossknowledge.com/en_US/elearning/home.html.

About Wiley
Wiley is a global provider of knowledge-enabled services that improve outcomes in research, education, and professional practice. Our core businesses produce scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, reference works, books, database services, and advertising; professional books, subscription products, certification and training services and online applications; and education content and services including integrated online teaching and learning resources for undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners.

Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (NYSE: JWa, JWb), has been a valued source of information and understanding for more than 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 450 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, and Peace. Wiley's global headquarters are located in Hoboken, New Jersey, with operations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, Brazil, Dubai, and Australia. The Company's website can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com.

SOURCE Junior Achievement USA