Nation's First Online Law School Receives DETC Accreditation

New York, January 20, 2000 -- Concord University School of Law, the nation's first online law school and a division of Kaplan, Inc., announced that it has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission of the Distance Education Training Council (DETC) as of January 15, 2000. Approved by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency, the DETC is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and strives to identify schools that offer high quality distance education. DETC accreditation enables Concord students to qualify for tuition reimbursement from many U.S. companies and organizations. It also underscores Kaplan's growth as a leading provider of innovative online educational services.

"DETC accreditation signifies national recognition of the high quality of the school's online legal education and distinguishes Concord from other distance education law school programs," said Dean Jack Goetz. Currently, the A.B.A. and state bar associations do not evaluate and/or accredit online legal programs.

Michael Lambert, Executive Secretary of the Accreditation Commission of the DETC, said, "Concord University School of Law is an outstanding provider of online legal education, and we are delighted to grant it DETC accreditation. Our rigorous selection process includes an intensive review of the school's programs, instructors, finances, facilities, and admissions policies. Our Accrediting Commission determined that Concord delivers what it promises: a high quality, accessible and affordable legal education for students around the globe."

The DETC review process includes submission of an in-depth self-evaluation report; review of all courses by subject matter experts; survey of students, graduates, state departments of education, federal agencies, Better Business Bureaus, and other official bodies; and an on-site inspection. The review of Concord included an intensive review of its curriculum by highly qualified law school professors from accredited law schools across the country.

"Kaplan has made a major commitment to Internet education, and we are very proud that the DETC has granted accreditation to Concord," said Jonathan Grayer, President and CEO of Kaplan, Inc. "Kaplan will continue to develop high quality online educational programs that enable students around the world to pursue a solid education regardless of their scheduling constraints or location."

Kaplan's Internet businesses include several category trailblazers such as BrassRing, the first hiring management, recruiting and career development network; eSCORE, the first educational services site to help parents identify the best activities, products and services for their children's education and development; Kaptest, offering high quality test prep courses and admissions services online; and Kaplan College, launching in Spring 2000 and offering degree and certificate programs in IT, education, real estate, financial services, paralegal studies, and nursing. Concord University School of Law will be one of the flagship schools in Kaplan College.

About Concord

Since opening in 1998, Concord has pioneered the delivery of high quality legal education on the Internet. The school serves working professionals, homemakers, family caretakers and others whose circumstances prevent them from pursuing a legal education at a fixed facility law school. More than 300 students are enrolled at Concord, including alumni of such prestigious universities as Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, MIT, the University of California Berkeley, Duke and the University of Chicago. More than one third of the students already hold advanced degrees.

Concord students view lectures on the Internet, logging on at their convenience 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The lectures are presented using audiovisual streaming technology. Students also attend professor-led dialogues where they discuss and debate legal concepts. Concord's curriculum corresponds to that of most leading American Bar Association law schools. Students use the same casebooks and textbooks as those of their peers at law school campuses nationwide. Students acquire and hone online legal research skills, now a necessity for practicing attorneys.

Students take regular interactive exams on the Internet that test their retention and understanding of material. They receive instantaneous computer-analyzed feedback on their performance, with directions to study material that will address their individual needs. The exams mirror the content and language on the Bar Examination, preparing students throughout their education for the final hurdle to licensing. Students receive regular feedback on written assignments via e-mail. In addition, professors are available for consultation via chat rooms and one-on-one meetings on e-mail or by phone.

Concord has been authorized to award the juris doctorate degree by the Bureau of Private Post-Secondary and Vocational Education in California. Concord has complied with the registration requirements of the State Bar of California, which permits its graduates to apply for admission to the California Bar. Upon passing the California Bar Examination, graduates will be qualified to practice in California courts. They may also apply to practice in many of the Federal courts. Graduates who want to practice in other state courts may be eligible under reciprocity rules and should contact the bar in those states for details.

For more information about Concord prospective applicants may visit the web site, www.concordlawschool.com,or call 1-888-228-7737.

About DETC

Founded in 1926 and located in Washington, D.C., the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) is the premiere association of accredited distance education institutions in the United States. The DETC serves to promote sound education and good business practices in the distance education field. 

About Kaplan

Kaplan is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan offers test prep and admissions services www.kaptest.com; K-12 educational programs for kids and parents through SCORE! Learning Corporation and www.eSCORE.com; on-site education and professional development at schools and universities; books and software; professional education services; and distance learning programs (www.KaplanCollege.com). Kaplan is also the majority shareholder in BrassRing Inc. www.BrassRing.com), which combines recruiting, career development and hiring management services for employers and job candidates. Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO).

Press Contact: pubrel@kaplan.com, (212) 492-5965

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