'Excel Kids' Program Helps Children in Need Prepare to Go Back-to-School; Program Aims to Provide Basic School Supplies to Children Across the United States.

Business/Technology Editors

HOUSTON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 31, 2002

Educational Products Inc. (EPI), announced today it is gearing up for Back-to-School through its Excel Kids initiative, a nationwide program creating partnerships to provide school supplies to elementary school children in need. EPI, a marketer of custom-packaged school supplies to schools, teachers and educational organizations, is an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Excelligence Learning Corporation (NASDAQSC: LRNS) of Monterey, California.

With school supply drives and fundraisers on the rise as the new school year approaches, EPI's Excel Kids helps charitable contributions go further than ever before by donating an additional 25% of goods for contributions in excess of $1,000 by organizations or corporations that wish to donate these supplies to elementary schools. A donor organization or corporation may identify a school, or EPI will help to locate a school to participate in the program. EPI retails school supplies at prices 20-35% below many office supply stores. In addition to offering special pricing, EPI provides free packaging and freight for Excel Kids Program donations.

According to EPI General Manager, Bill Lane, "It's the time of year when back-to-school shopping is on the mind of parents and children everywhere. What is unfortunate is that there are so many children who aren't worried about having the trendiest sneakers but instead wonder if they will have a notebook, pen, and pencil. Through this program we are helping these children get these basic supplies so they can focus on achieving their individual academic goals."

EPI, a Texas-based company, has provided School Wrap Packs to school children across the country for over 22 years. The program was initially launched in May with a $32,000 contribution of supplies, matching almost a third of a $100,000 donation to the Houston Independent School District.

To learn more about receiving a donation or becoming a program sponsor, please email [e-mail] or call 1-800-494-8752 x301.

About Excelligence Learning Corporation

Excelligence Learning Corporation is a developer, manufacturer and retailer of educational products to child care programs, preschools, schools, and consumers. The Company serves early childhood professionals, educators, and parents by providing quality educational products and programs for children from infancy to 12 years of age. With proprietary product offerings, a multi-channel distribution strategy, and extensive management expertise, the Company helps to further children's education and to reinforce the connection between learning at school and at home. The Company is comprised of two business divisions, Early Childhood and Elementary School. Through its Early Childhood division, the company develops, markets and sells educational products to early childhood professionals and parents for use in preschools and child care programs. Through its Elementary School division, the company sells school supplies and other products specifically targeted for use by children in the first through sixth grade to elementary schools, teachers and parent or community organizations to be resold as a fund raising device for the benefit of a particular school. Excelligence Learning is headquartered in Monterey, California.