Edison Schools Retools Itself as Online-Learning Provider

Edison Schools Inc. , which has long attracted controversy in managing public schools, has changed its name to EdisonLearning and bought a California-based software company that will help it compete in the fast-growing online-learning market.

The acquisition of Provost Systems Inc. , based in Santa Clara, Calif., will allow Edison to offer online coursework to students directly, or through their schools or districts, Edison officials said when they announced the deal on June 30. Provost’s software helps support two Pennsylvania online schools that serve a total of 10,000 students. It also includes student-information systems, standards-alignment systems, and a portal that gives students and families access to courses and grades.

In its 16 years as a for-profit manager of public schools, New York City-based Edison has weathered rocky financial terrain, criticism of its management style, and questions about its accomplishments. Most recently, the School Reform Commission in Philadelphia decided to take back four of the 20 schools Edison manages in that city. The panel cited inadequate academic...