Kaplan Higher Education Opens a New Health Industry Technical Training School in the Rio Grande Valley

Brownsville, TX, October 28, 2002 - In a move to address the growing demand for skilled allied health workers in the area, Kaplan Higher Education is opening a campus in Brownsville, Texas offering certificate programs in the professional fields of medical assistant, pharmacy technician and medical office specialist. Kaplan Higher Education, a division of Kaplan, Inc., operates 44 schools in 13 states, including 7 in Texas. The Brownsville campus, located at 1900 North Expressway, will bring the total to 45 nationwide and 8 in Texas.

The new campus will address two concerns: full capacity programs at the El Paso campus, and a current nursing shortage in the Rio Grande Valley, which has seen its unemployment rate rise in the Brownsville area to 10.8% in recent months, the second highest in the state.

"In a town that houses a strong allied health industry, currently there are limited training opportunities for those who want to enter the industry," said Carli Strength, Director of Operations for the Texas Region of Kaplan Higher Education. "Our goal with the new campus is to fulfill the educational and employment needs of the community. Additionally, people recognize the Kaplan name as a provider of popular programs that offer expertise in specialized professional fields. We have an outstanding placement record and our graduates emerge from our programs in high demand because employees know of the quality education we provide."

Among Kaplan's seven Texas based schools, the El Paso campus's 2001 placement rates were 73% for Medical Assistants, 78% for Medical Office Specialist and 69% for Pharmacy Technician.

Recently approved by the Texas Workforce Commission, the Brownsville campus has begun accepting enrollments and plans to open its doors next month. Day and evening classes will be offered to accommodate the needs of working adults.

Rolando Rodriguez, a veteran of the education business and health industry, will oversee the new school as Executive Director. He comes to Career Centers of Texas from the San Antonio College of Medial and Dental Assistants in McAllen. Rodriguez also sits on the Board of Directors for the Career Colleges and Schools of Texas, and serves on the Advisory Committee for Texas Providers Certification System of the Texas Workforce Commission.

About Kaplan Higher Education:
Kaplan, Inc.'s Higher Education Division includes 44 campus-based schools in 13 states, as well as online programs toward numerous degrees. Kaplan has been providing educational and career services to students, schools, professionals, and businesses worldwide for more than 60 years. Kaplan is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO - News). For more information about Kaplan, please visit http://www.kaplan.com.

Press Contacts:

Carina Wong
212-492-5992
carina_wong@kaplan.com

Tammy Fang
212-492-5965
tammy_fang@kaplan.com

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