McGraw Hill Education
McGraw Hill Education is an American educational publisher and learning-technology company serving schools, universities, students, educators, and professional learners.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
McGraw Hill Education is an American education-content and learning-technology business whose origins are tied to the publishing companies founded by James H. McGraw and John A. Hill. Its historical roots reach back to 1888, when McGraw acquired the American Journal of Railway Appliances, and to Hill’s technical and trade publishing activities. The two businesses progressively combined their book operations, forming the McGraw-Hill Book Company in 1909 and consolidating more broadly as the McGraw-Hill Publishing Company in 1917. Over the twentieth century, the McGraw-Hill organization expanded from technical and professional publishing into school education, college textbooks, assessment, reference works, media, and international markets. Its education portfolio grew particularly rapidly through acquisitions, including The Economy Company in 1986 and school and college textbook assets purchased from Random House in 1988. These transactions helped make McGraw-Hill one of the largest educational publishers in the United States. The wider McGraw-Hill group also operated businesses outside education, including broadcasting and financial information, before later divesting non-core activities. McGraw Hill Education became a separately owned education business in the 2010s. The McGraw-Hill Companies agreed in 2012 to sell its education division to Apollo Global Management, and the transaction closed in 2013. Under new ownership, the company emphasized digital learning, adaptive instruction, assessment, classroom-management tools, and integrated platforms alongside conventional textbooks. Acquisitions such as Redbird Learning, ALEKS, Engrade, Everyday Mathematics, My Math, Core-Plus Mathematics Project, and Kidaptive expanded its capabilities in adaptive learning, mathematics, student information, curriculum, and personalized education. The company serves several major segments. In K–12 education, it supplies curriculum programs, classroom resources, assessment products, science and mathematics programs, and teacher-support tools. In higher education, it publishes textbooks and digital courseware, including products designed to combine readings, assignments, testing, analytics, and adaptive practice. It also maintains professional and reference publishing activities in areas such as medicine, business, engineering, and other technical fields. Digital products and subscription or access-based services have become increasingly important, although the company continues to publish print textbooks and other physical materials. McGraw Hill has positioned itself around evidence-informed instruction, structured curriculum, educational technology, and measurable learning support. It has promoted affordability initiatives such as textbook rental and has pursued partnerships and distribution arrangements, including work connected with Illustrative Mathematics and online learning in India. The company has also faced criticism over textbook prices, digital access codes, content accuracy and representation, and the cost of electronic materials. In response to a 2015 controversy over language describing enslaved African Americans in a geography textbook, it apologized, revised digital content, and offered replacement materials. McGraw Hill was sold by Apollo Global Management to Platinum Equity in 2021. The company remains an active participant in the international education-publishing and learning-technology market. Its present identity reflects the transition of a traditional textbook publisher into a broader provider of curriculum, digital courseware, adaptive learning, assessment, and educator services.
History
McGraw Hill Education developed from the broader McGraw-Hill publishing enterprise. James H. McGraw entered publishing in 1888 through the purchase of the American Journal of Railway Appliances and built a portfolio of technical periodicals. John A. Hill independently developed technical and trade publications and established the Hill Publishing Company in 1902. Their book operations were combined in 1909 as the McGraw-Hill Book Company, with Hill as president and McGraw as vice-president. The remaining publishing activities were consolidated in 1917. The business expanded internationally and diversified during the twentieth century. McGraw-Hill established an international division in 1946 and later acquired or developed operations in educational, technical, professional, film, and media publishing. Its purchase of The Economy Company in 1986 strengthened its position in American educational publishing. The acquisition of school and college textbook divisions from Random House in 1988 further increased its education scale. McGraw-Hill also entered joint ventures and made acquisitions outside education, but the organization eventually began concentrating more heavily on information, publishing, and education-related activities. During the 2000s, the education business began shifting toward online services. A student-oriented study network, GradeGuru.com, launched in 2007 but closed in 2012. The parent company also divested its broadcasting division in 2011 as part of a broader effort to focus on core businesses. In 2012, it agreed to sell the entire education division to Apollo Global Management; the transaction was completed in March 2013, creating the separately owned McGraw Hill Education business. The Apollo-owned company pursued a digital and acquisition-led strategy. Redbird Learning was acquired in 2012, followed by ALEKS in 2013 and Engrade in 2014. These additions gave McGraw Hill stronger capabilities in adaptive learning, mathematics, digital classroom tools, and education management. In 2015, Data Recognition Corporation acquired key assets of the CTB/McGraw-Hill assessment operation. Everyday Mathematics and My Math were added in 2016 and 2017, respectively. McGraw Hill also sold the business holdings of McGraw-Hill Ryerson to Nelson in 2017. The company continued introducing curriculum and affordability initiatives. It launched a textbook rental program in 2018 and announced Reveal Math and Inspire Science for K–12 schools in 2019. It also acquired Core-Plus Mathematics Project in 2019, became a distributor for Illustrative Mathematics in 2020, and acquired Kidaptive in 2021. A proposed merger with Cengage, announced in 2019, was abandoned in 2020. McGraw Hill has operated amid recurring debates over textbook affordability, digital access codes, content quality, and representation in educational materials. In 2015, it apologized after a geography textbook described enslaved African Americans as “workers,” revised the material, and offered replacement texts. The company has also been criticized over the pricing of electronic textbooks and access-based products, particularly during the shift to remote learning in the COVID-19 period. These controversies illustrate the tensions between traditional textbook economics and the company’s increasingly digital business model. In 2021, Platinum Equity acquired McGraw Hill from Apollo Global Management. The company continues to combine print publishing with digital courseware, adaptive learning, assessment, curriculum systems, and professional reference content. Its history therefore spans nineteenth-century technical publishing, twentieth-century educational expansion, private-equity ownership, and the continuing digitization of teaching and learning.
- 2022
Return to McGraw Hill branding
[8]The company adopted McGraw Hill as its principal name after the change in ownership.
- 2021
Platinum Equity acquires McGraw Hill
[1]Platinum Equity purchased the company from Apollo Global Management.
- 2021
Platinum Equity acquisition
[4]Platinum Equity acquired McGraw Hill Education from Apollo-affiliated funds.
- 2013
Education division becomes independently owned
[1]McGraw-Hill Education was sold to funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management and separated from McGraw Hill Financial.
- 2012
Parent company adopts McGraw Hill Financial name
[5]The broader corporate group changed its name from The McGraw-Hill Companies to McGraw Hill Financial as it emphasized financial information and ratings.
- 2011
Broadcasting division is divested
[1]McGraw-Hill sold its television stations as it concentrated more closely on publishing and other core businesses.
- 1986
The Economy Company is acquired
[1]The acquisition strengthened McGraw-Hill's position and made it the largest educational publisher in the United States at that time.
- 1979
McGraw-Hill Book Company acquires Gregg Division
[2]The acquisition expanded McGraw-Hill's educational publishing activities and strengthened its position in business and vocational learning materials.
- 1946
International division is established
[1]McGraw-Hill created an international division as part of its global expansion.
- 1917
Publishing operations are consolidated
[1]The remaining parts of the founders' businesses were merged into the McGraw-Hill Publishing Company.
Products and positioning
A large educational publisher and learning-technology provider combining established curriculum and textbook publishing with adaptive software, digital courseware, assessment, and educator-support services.
Adaptive learning and assessment · 1999
ALEKS
ALEKS is an adaptive learning platform associated especially with mathematics and other structured academic subjects. It uses diagnostic assessment and individualized practice to adjust content to a learner’s demonstrated knowledge. Its acquisition strengthened McGraw Hill’s ability to offer technology-supported instruction alongside conventional textbooks and course materials. ALEKS is an adaptive learning system based on knowledge-space theory. It is used especially in mathematics, chemistry, and related subjects to diagnose what a learner knows, identify gaps, and present targeted practice. The system adjusts question selection and learning pathways according to student responses. McGraw Hill has incorporated ALEKS into its broader digital portfolio for school, college, and some professional learning contexts.
Education software
Engrade
Engrade provides digital tools for educators and schools, including functions related to grading, classroom organization, communication, and education administration. McGraw Hill acquired the business as part of its effort to build a broader digital ecosystem around curriculum and instructional content.
K–12 mathematics curriculum · 2019
Reveal Math
Reveal Math is a K–12 mathematics curriculum announced in 2019. It combines core instructional content with digital resources and teacher-support materials intended to support classroom teaching, student practice, and differentiated learning across grade levels.
K–12 science curriculum · 2019
Inspire Science
Inspire Science is a K–12 science curriculum announced alongside Reveal Math in 2019. It is designed as a structured program for science instruction, combining print and digital materials with classroom resources for students and teachers.
Elementary mathematics curriculum
Everyday Mathematics
Everyday Mathematics is a mathematics curriculum for elementary education that became part of McGraw Hill's portfolio through acquisition in 2016. It represents the company's investment in established, comprehensive school mathematics programs rather than only stand-alone digital products.
K–12 mathematics curriculum
My Math
My Math is a school mathematics program added to McGraw Hill's portfolio in 2017. It provides grade-level instructional materials and associated resources for classroom teaching and student practice.
Secondary mathematics curriculum
Core-Plus Mathematics Project
Core-Plus Mathematics Project is a secondary mathematics curriculum associated with an applied and integrated approach to mathematical learning. McGraw Hill acquired the project in 2019, expanding its secondary mathematics offering.
Higher education publishing
Higher-education textbooks and digital courseware
McGraw Hill publishes college textbooks and digital course materials across disciplines. These offerings may combine authoritative readings, assignments, quizzes, analytics, and adaptive practice, serving instructors and students in university and postsecondary settings.
Higher-education digital courseware
McGraw Hill Connect
Connect is a digital teaching and learning platform used with McGraw Hill higher-education content. It supports assignments, quizzes, automated grading, instructor controls, reporting, and integration with learning-management systems. Depending on the course and discipline, it can combine e-books, interactive exercises, simulations, and other digital resources. The platform is designed to reduce routine assessment work while giving instructors information about student activity and performance.
Digital content access program
McGraw Hill Access
McGraw Hill Access is an institutional digital-content model that provides students with course materials through their schools or colleges, often through learning-management-system integration. It is associated with efforts to simplify distribution, improve first-day access, and reduce the friction of obtaining required course content. The offer can include digital textbooks, courseware, assignments, and other resources depending on the institution and course.
School curriculum and instructional materials
K–12 curriculum programs
McGraw Hill develops curriculum materials and digital resources for elementary and secondary education. Its K–12 portfolio covers subjects including mathematics, science, language arts, social studies, and intervention or supplemental learning. Products may include student texts, teacher editions, assessments, classroom activities, online assignments, and reporting tools. Offerings differ by grade, subject, state, district, and market.
Academic publishing
Higher-education textbooks and e-books
McGraw Hill publishes print and digital textbooks for undergraduate and professional study. Its catalog has historically been strong in business, economics, accounting, finance, mathematics, science, engineering, computer science, medicine, nursing, and social sciences. Textbooks are often paired with instructor resources, test banks, digital assignments, simulations, and courseware rather than sold only as standalone books.
Controversies
2021
Publishers sue Shopify over alleged textbook piracy
Five textbook publishers filed a lawsuit in a U.S. court accusing Shopify of allowing websites using its technology to reproduce and sell textbooks and other materials allegedly pirated or infringing the publishers' trademarks. The allegations are claims in the lawsuit, not a stated court determination.
2020
Criticism of digital textbook pricing
During the COVID-19 shift to remote learning, McGraw Hill faced accusations that some electronic textbooks and access products were priced substantially above comparable print materials. The available reference material does not establish a final legal outcome.
2015
Criticism over textbook language about slavery
A geography textbook was criticized for describing enslaved African Americans as "workers." McGraw Hill apologized, changed the digital version, and offered schools replacement materials without charge.
1990
Dispute over James Baldwin advance
McGraw Hill sued the estate of writer and civil-rights activist James Baldwin to recover an advance for an unfinished memoir. The company later dropped the lawsuit, citing a desire not to cause additional distress to Baldwin's family.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Textbook rental program
United States
McGraw Hill introduced textbook rentals as an affordability option for college students, broadening its distribution model beyond outright textbook purchases.
Outcome. Added to the company’s student affordability offerings.
- 2007GradeGuru.com
United States
McGraw Hill launched GradeGuru.com as an online student study network where users could share notes and learning materials and receive monetary or gift-card incentives. The service closed in April 2012.
Outcome. The service closed in April 2012.
Brand decisions
2022
Rebrand from McGraw Hill Education to McGraw HillStrategyBackground
The company sought to use the historic McGraw Hill name while presenting itself as a modern education-content and learning-technology business.
Action taken
The company made McGraw Hill its principal brand name and continued investing in digital learning and institutional solutions.
Aftermath
The rebrand aligned the company's current education focus with its long-established publishing identity.
2021
Sale to Platinum EquityM&ABackground
After several years under Apollo Global Management, McGraw Hill changed private-equity ownership.
Action taken
Platinum Equity acquired McGraw Hill.
Aftermath
The company continued as an active education publisher and learning-technology provider under new ownership.
Reported transaction value. $4.5 billion (2021)
2021
Sell McGraw Hill Education to Platinum EquityM&ABackground
After several years under Apollo-affiliated ownership, McGraw Hill Education pursued a new ownership structure for its next phase of digital and international development.
Action taken
Platinum Equity agreed to acquire McGraw Hill Education from funds managed by Apollo-affiliated entities.
Aftermath
McGraw Hill continued as a privately held education company and subsequently restored the shorter McGraw Hill brand.
2019
Proposed merger with CengageM&ABackground
McGraw Hill and Cengage announced a proposed combination intended to create a larger education-content company.
Action taken
The companies announced that the proposed merger would not proceed in May 2020.
Aftermath
Both companies continued operating independently.
2019
Launch of Reveal Math and Inspire ScienceProduct launchBackground
The company sought to refresh its K–12 curriculum portfolio with new mathematics and science programs.
Action taken
McGraw Hill announced Reveal Math and Inspire Science for K–12 education.
Aftermath
The programs became part of the company's current school-curriculum offering.
2013
Separate the education business from the former McGraw-Hill CompaniesStrategyBackground
The former parent company sought to focus its portfolio and sell its education division as a distinct business.
Action taken
McGraw Hill Education was sold to Apollo Global Management and operated as a separately owned education company.
Aftermath
The company increased its emphasis on digital learning, adaptive technology, acquisitions, and integrated education services.
Reported cash consideration. $2.4 billion (Transaction completed in March 2013)
2013
Separate McGraw-Hill Education from the financial-information groupM&ABackground
The education operation was no longer aligned with the strategic focus of the renamed McGraw Hill Financial parent, whose principal businesses included financial information and ratings.
Action taken
McGraw Hill Financial sold McGraw-Hill Education to funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management.
Aftermath
The education business became an independently owned company and accelerated its emphasis on digital courseware, adaptive learning, online assessment, and education technology.
Recent events
Reported
Publishers sue Shopify over alleged textbook piracy[9]
Five textbook publishers filed a lawsuit in a U.S. court accusing Shopify of allowing websites using its technology to reproduce and sell textbooks and other materials allegedly pirated or infringing the publishers’ trademarks. The allegations are claims in the lawsuit, not a stated court determination.
Reported
McGraw Hill completes acquisition of Achieve3000[10]
McGraw Hill closed its previously announced acquisition of Achieve3000 on November 1, 2021.
Reported
Platinum Equity completes acquisition of McGraw Hill[11]
Platinum Equity announced that it had completed its acquisition of McGraw Hill for approximately $4.5 billion.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
McGraw Hill wins two 2021 CODiE Awards[12]
McGraw Hill won two 2021 CODiE Awards for Connect Virtual Labs and Connect for Anatomy & Physiology. The source says SIIA announced the awards the previous week but gives no calendar date for the wins.
Reported
McGraw Hill integration earns LTI Advantage certification[13]
McGraw Hill said its updated learning-management-system integration architecture was certified by IMS Global, and IMS Global's CEO said McGraw Hill had achieved LTI Advantage Complete certification.
Reported
McGraw Hill announces Connect integration architecture update[13]
McGraw Hill announced an update to the digital architecture underlying its integrations with learning management systems. The updated architecture was planned for a summer pilot and a wider launch in 2022.
Reported
McGraw Hill acquires Triad Interactive[14]
McGraw Hill announced that it had acquired Triad Interactive, the software developer of the SIMnet product. The article says all Triad employees joined McGraw Hill following the acquisition.
Reported
McGraw Hill acquires Kidaptive[15]
McGraw Hill announced that it had acquired Kidaptive, an adaptive learning platform company. Kidaptive employees would join McGraw Hill following the acquisition.
Sources15 sources
- 1McGraw Hillen.wikipedia.org
- 2McGraw Hill: Our Historymheducation.com
- 3McGraw Hill: Leadershipmheducation.com
- 4Platinum Equity to Acquire McGraw Hill Educationplatinumequity.com
- 5S&P Global: Our Historyspglobal.com
- 6Reuters: Apollo Funds Buy McGraw-Hill Educationreuters.com
- 7https://www.mheducation.com/mheducation.com
- 8Return to McGraw Hill brandingmheducation.com
- 9Publishers sue Shopify over alleged textbook piracyinfotel.ca
- 10McGraw Hill完成对Achieve3000的收购prnewswire.com
- 11Platinum Equity完成对McGraw Hill的收购prnewswire.com
- 12McGraw Hill 荣获两项 2021 年 CODiE 奖prnewswire.com
- 13McGraw Hill集成获得LTI Advantage认证prnewswire.com
- 14McGraw Hill收购Triad Interactiveprnewswire.com
- 15McGraw Hill 收购 Kidaptiveprnewswire.com
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