Kaplan, Inc.

Kaplan, Inc. is a global educational services provider and a subsidiary of the Graham Holdings Company. Founded by Stanley H. Kaplan in 1938, it grew from a Brooklyn tutoring operation into one of the world's largest and most diversified education companies. Its services span test preparation for exams like the SAT, MCAT, and LSAT, accredited higher education through institutions such as Purdue University Global, and a wide array of professional training programs.

History

The company originated in 1938 when Stanley H. Kaplan began tutoring students for the New York State Regents Examinations from the basement of his parents' home in Brooklyn. Recognizing a growing need, he expanded his focus to standardized admissions tests, most notably the SAT, challenging the notion that such exams could not be prepared for. In 1984, The Washington Post Company (later renamed the Graham Holdings Company) acquired the burgeoning test preparation business. Under this corporate umbrella, the company embarked on a period of aggressive expansion, acquiring numerous educational companies and launching new divisions. Key acquisitions included the Quest Education Corporation and the financial training firm Schweser Study Program, significantly broadening its reach into post-secondary and professional education.

Services and divisions

Kaplan operates through several major divisions providing diverse educational services globally. Its **Kaplan North America** segment includes test preparation for exams like the GMAT, GRE, and USMLE, as well as professional licensing courses for fields such as accounting and healthcare. The **Kaplan International** division manages pathways programs and English language schools, including Kaplan International Colleges, which prepare international students for entry into universities in the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia. The **Kaplan Higher Education** group oversees accredited institutions, notably the online Purdue University Global, created in partnership with Purdue University. Additionally, the **Kaplan Professional** division offers training for financial services certifications like the CFA and FINRA licenses, along with continuing education for legal and real estate professionals.

Corporate affairs

As a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Graham Holdings Company, the firm is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Its operations are divided into multiple reporting segments, including Kaplan Higher Education, Kaplan Professional, and Kaplan International. The company has formed significant partnerships with traditional universities, such as the landmark agreement with Purdue University to create Purdue University Global. It also maintains collaborative relationships with institutions like the University of Liverpool for online degree programs. Governance and major strategic decisions fall under the purview of the Graham Holdings Company board, with day-to-day leadership provided by a dedicated executive team for its various global divisions.

Controversies and legal issues

The company has faced several investigations and legal challenges, particularly related to its for-profit higher education operations. In 2004, then-Attorney General of New York Eliot Spitzer investigated its recruitment practices. A major settlement was reached in 2009 with the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs over advertising claims for its test preparation courses. Its higher education division, Kaplan University, was the subject of a 2010 Senate committee hearing led by Senator Tom Harkin, which scrutinized the sector's recruitment and student loan default rates. In 2016, it settled a False Claims Act lawsuit with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding Title IV federal student aid. More recently, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has taken action against it for alleged unfair lending practices related to its tuition payment plan.

See also

* The Princeton Review * Houghton Mifflin Harcourt * Educational Testing Service * For-profit higher education in the United States * Test preparation

Category:Educational companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Broward County, Florida Category:1938 establishments in New York (state)