Kaplan K12 Learning Services Partners with AutoSkill International to Launch Kaplan Reading Empowerment

Research-Based Literacy Intervention Program Meets the Funding Criteria of the Federal Reading First and Title I Funding Programs

New York, NY, November 13, 2002 - Kaplan K12 Learning Services, a leading provider of standards-based educational services for schools, has partnered with AutoSkill International to launch Kaplan Reading Empowerment, a software-based literacy intervention program for K-12 schools. Kaplan Reading Empowerment provides individualized, self-paced literacy instruction tailored to students' learning needs as well as the necessary training and support for teachers to integrate the program into their daily instruction and effectively monitor student progress. Kaplan Reading Empowerment meets the funding criteria of several programs under the No Child Left Behind Act, including Title I funding and the Reading First program.

With only 32% of fourth-grade students reading at or above a proficient level, sound literacy intervention programs have never been more important. Kaplan Reading Empowerment will help schools meet this critical need. Kaplan K12 educators collaborate with district and school staff to define goals and develop a broad reading intervention plan using AutoSkill's Academy of Reading® software. The software identifies specific learning requirements of individual students and creates customized courses of study. Through the software's database-driven management functions, teachers are able to oversee and track student progress. Throughout the program, Kaplan K12 provides a wide range of implementation services, including project management, professional development workshops, ongoing progress reporting and follow-up meetings to review student results.

"Kaplan K12 Learning Services, built on Kaplan's more than 60 years of experience in the education industry, has enabled hundreds of schools to achieve measurable gains in student performance," said Stuart Udell, President, Kaplan K12 Learning Services. "By capitalizing on Kaplan's educational expertise and proven track record, Kaplan Reading Empowerment provides educators with the resources they need to help students who have fallen behind in their reading skills."

Kaplan K12 Learning Services works closely with thousands of teachers and some of the largest school districts in the country to provide educational programs including professional development seminars, curricular materials and online learning and assessment tools for students and teachers. AutoSkill's Academy of Reading® software is already used in more than 5,000 schools throughout the U.S. and Canada.

"AutoSkill is committed to harnessing the potential of technology to bring high-impact, cost-effective literacy solutions to teachers and students," said Peter Eddison, President of AutoSkill. "By partnering with Kaplan K12 Learning Services to form Kaplan Reading Empowerment, we will ensure that educators have access to both the technology and the expert support and professional development they need to solve their students' literacy needs and qualify for state and federal grants, including the federal government's Reading First program."

Part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Reading First commits to states nearly one billion dollars per year for six years to promote the use of scientifically based research to inform reading instruction in grades K-3. Based on award-winning neuroscience research and proven professional development, Kaplan Reading Empowerment meets the funding requirements of the Reading First initiative.

About Kaplan K12 Learning Services:
Kaplan K12 Learning Services (www.KaplanK12.com), part of Kaplan Test Prep, partners with schools to provide educational programs that help students meet standards, improve their critical thinking skills and boost performance on state assessments in grades K-12. The company works closely with some of the largest school districts in the country, to provide programs from in-house professional development seminars to online tools for students and teachers. Kaplan K12 programs, based on solid educational principles, give students the confidence and tools they need to succeed on state assessments, pass exit exams and pursue higher education. Kaplan, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO).

About AutoSkill:
AutoSkill International Inc. designs, develops, markets and sells innovative research-based software solutions and associated services that help people improve fundamental literacy skills. The core technology is a neuroscience-based, multi-media software-driven teaching process. Students using AutoSkill solutions achieve positive results through the breakdown of complex learning processes into component skills so response becomes automatic. Students use the diagnostic tools built into the program to tailor the program to their individual strengths and weaknesses, and to ensure that they advance according to their unique skills and abilities.

Press Contacts:

Bonnie Eissner
212-707-5287
bonnie_eissner@kaplan.com

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