Response from Pearson and Uhlfelder & Associates

• FROM ADAM GABER AT PEARSON

"Pearson’s government relations work, which includes work with lobbyists, is purely on substantive, policy matters. Our efforts are dedicated to educating elected officials and other policy makers on what is possible and advisable in those areas of our expertise, such as instructional resources, digital products and services, virtual learning, and assessment. Pearson’s business is built on winning and maintaining the trust of our education partners. The process to purchase testing services is very competitive and transparent.  We provide the best education products and services in the world and we welcome questions and review by our customers and the taxpayers."

• FROM STEVE UHLFELDER AT UHLFELDER & ASSOCIATES:

"I have represented the education businesses of Pearson in many capacities for more than 15 years and I believe in public policies that place priority on educational progress for Florida's children. My many legal and government relations services have included providing substantive policy information on instructional resources, assessments, digital products and services and virtual learning. On many of these issues, I work with numerous government relations professionals including other publishers. My efforts are dedicated to educating elected officials and other policy makers around what is possible and advisable in those areas of our expertise, such as instructional resources and assessment.

I was retained as a consultant by Pearson for my deep education sector experience, which includes serving as the chair of the Florida higher education system governing board, the Governor's Mentoring Initiative, the Children's Coalition, and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board ( a presidential appointment). For your information, I have attached my resume which provides a list of some of my other clients including the Florida Press Association and ABC News."

WFTV