2006 Inspired Education Award Winners Announced by ALAS and PLATO Learning; Two Schools to Implement Ed-Tech Program for 2006-07 School Year.

MINNEAPOLIS -- PLATO Learning (NASDAQ:TUTR) and the Association of Latino Administrators & Superintendents (ALAS) announced today that L.E.A.D.S. Academy in the San Diego Unified School District, Calif., and Nimitz Ninth Grade School in the Aldine Independent School District, Tex., are the recipients of the 2006 Inspired Education Award.

The Inspired Education Award, now in its fourth year, seeks to enhance student achievement and technology literacy in high-need schools. Awardees receive a complete instructional technology program, including 20 laptop computers and a three-year subscription to PLATO(R) Courses covering core high school subjects with pre-assessments, instructional content, unit tests, final exams, and correlations to state standards. Awardees also receive comprehensive professional development, a school-based evaluation program, and technical assistance. The award's technology program will be implemented at each school in time for start of the 2006-07 school year.

PLATO Learning and ALAS worked together to promote the award and to select the winners. Entries were evaluated on essay responses outlining the learning challenges facing their school; their plans for the award if selected; and the anticipated effect on student achievement.

Mike Morache, PLATO Learning President & CEO, stated, "All of the applicants deserved to win, and it was very difficult to select only two awardees. L.E.A.D.S. Academy and Nimitz Ninth Grade School articulated goals and plans in their applications that were closely aligned to the primary goals of the 2006 Inspired Education Award-- improving student achievement and increasing technology literacy."

Anne Hazzan, Nimitz Ninth Grade principal said, "In order to meet our goal of reducing the number of students that are classified as 9th graders each year, we need to expand our programming so that more students can participate in credit recovery programs. The Inspired Education Award will be an outstanding opportunity for Nimitz Ninth Grade to further assist our students with skill remediation and credit recovery."

Nimitz has enrolled numerous students from areas affected by Katrina, many of whom missed months of school. Aldine Independent School District's increased promotion standards means that all of our students, and especially those affected by Katrina, need to learn at an accelerated rate to advance to the 10th grade. Dr. Wilfredo T. Laboy, ALAS President, added, "This award will provide our students with more options for building skills, regaining missing credits, and augmenting learning time. Nimitz Ninth Grade can truly realize the goal of the Inspired Education Award--increased student achievement."

In their application, L.E.A.D.S. Academy outlined a clear plan for increasing technology literacy and conveyed a commitment to full integration of instructional technology across the school. Principal Scott Giusti stated, "We are excited ALAS and PLATO Learning chose us for the Inspired Education Award. At L.E.A.D.S., we encourage students to stretch beyond their comfort zones and strive for excellence. We look forward to having PLATO Learning as our academic partner, helping us provide students with appropriate technology and e-learning instruction, especially in algebra, an area of particular need. Together, we can give our students the academic foundation they so desperately need to succeed in school and in life."

Mike Morache added, "L.E.A.D.S. Academy has clear education reform goals well-aligned with the mission of the Inspired Education Award. With an immediate goal of preparing students for success on the CAHSEE and a long term vision of graduating students ready to participate in a global society, we are confident the students and staff at L.E.A.D.S will take full advantage of the award, and we are excited to work with them over the next three years."

About PLATO Learning

PLATO Learning is a leading provider of computer-based and e-learning instruction for kindergarten through adult learners, offering curricula in reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, and life and job skills. The company also offers innovative online assessment and accountability solutions and standards-based professional development services. With over 6,000 hours of objective-based, problemsolving courseware, plus assessment, alignment, and curriculum management tools, we create standardsbased curricula that facilitate learning and school improvement.

PLATO Learning is a publicly held company traded as TUTR on the NASDAQ. PLATO Learning educational software, delivered via networks, CD-ROM, the Internet, and private intranets, is primarily marketed to K-12 schools and colleges. The Company also sells to job training programs, correctional institutions, military education programs, corporations, and individuals.

PLATO Learning is headquartered at 10801 Nesbitt Avenue South, Bloomington, Minnesota 55437, 952.832.1000 or 800.869.2000. The Company has offices throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as international distributors in Puerto Rico, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. For more information, please visit http://www.plato.com.

About ALAS

ALAS, the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, is committed to improving the educational accomplishments of Latino youth. ALAS was formally established in the summer of 2003 as an affiliate of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). In establishing ALAS, AASA has committed to bring sharp focus to and support for Latino educators. ALAS is committed to identifying, recruiting, developing and advancing Latino school administrators and thus the educational accomplishments of Latino youth.

About Nimitz Ninth Grade School

Nimitz 9th Grade School is an urban campus within the Aldine School District in Houston Texas. It serves students in their first year of 9th grade. The school enrolls over 900 students. For more information, please visit: http://www1.aldine.k12.tx.us/schools/ specific_campus.cfm?CampusNumber=085 (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)

About LEADS Academy

L.E.A.D.S. (Lead, Explore, Achieve, Discover, Service) Academy is one of six small schools on the campus of the San Diego High School Educational Complex. Each school has a unique academic focus. L.E.A.D.S Academy focuses on leadership, with the goal of graduating students ready to participate in a global society. The school enrolls approximately 500 students. For more information, visit: http://www.sandi.net/hsrenewal/sm_schools_sd_leads.html.

PLATO(R) is a registered trademark of PLATO Learning, Inc. PLATO Learning is a trademark of PLATO Learning, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.