Houghton Mifflin Harcourt acquires edtech innovator Writable

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), a leading learning technology company, announced its acquisition of the award-winning software company Writable. This move not only strengthens a longstanding partnership between the two organizations but also marks a significant step towards enhancing HMH’s core English Language Arts (ELA) offerings for grades 3-12. The acquisition deal, whose financial terms were not disclosed, is expected to further integrate Writable’s research-backed writing assessment and practice solution with HMH’s educational resources.

Writable, known for its innovative approach to addressing the challenges and inequities in education through technology, has been a part of HMH’s ELA solutions since 2018. This collaboration has led to the development of personalized writing feedback and revision tools that have been integrated into HMH’s Into Reading and Into Literature programs. These tools have been instrumental in refining students’ writing skills, demonstrating the successful partnership between HMH and Writable.

With the acquisition, HMH announced the establishment of HMH Labs, a new incubation team led by Writable CEO and co-founder Andrew Goldman, who will take on the role of Executive Vice President of HMH Labs. This team will focus on the development and customer experience of emerging technologies, including generative AI, to support HMH’s vision for K-12 learning. HMH Labs aims to explore and develop cutting-edge solutions that drive student growth by creating differentiated and dynamic learning experiences that improve based on learner and teacher interaction.

The recent integration of OpenAI-powered tools into Writable’s offerings, allowing teachers to incorporate AI-suggested feedback and scores, exemplifies the type of innovation HMH Labs will continue to pursue. This approach not only saves teachers valuable time but also enriches the student learning experience by providing personalized and immediate feedback.

HMH CEO and President, Jack Lynch, expressed excitement over the acquisition, emphasizing the transformative power of Writable’s technology and the potential of HMH Labs to further innovate in the educational space. Andrew Goldman echoed this sentiment, highlighting the opportunity to leverage HMH’s resources to deliver next-generation edtech solutions that enhance the connection between students and teachers.

Writable’s recognition as the Best Reading/Writing/Literature Instructional Solution for Grade 9–12 in the SIIA CODiE Awards underscores its impact and the potential for future innovations under HMH’s stewardship. Current Writable customers can expect continued support, service, and innovation, with all contracts and quotes with schools and districts to be honored.

The acquisition of Writable by HMH is more than a business transaction; it’s a strategic move that reflects the evolving landscape of educational technology. By combining HMH’s extensive curriculum and educational resources with Writable’s innovative technology solutions, this partnership is set to redefine the way writing is taught and assessed in schools across the nation.

As education continues to embrace digital transformation, the role of technology in facilitating personalized learning experiences becomes increasingly important. HMH Labs, under the leadership of Andrew Goldman, is poised to lead this charge by developing tools and solutions that cater to the individual needs of students while empowering teachers with the resources they need to succeed.