Academic Systems Sees Dramatic Shift to Web-Based Version of Courseware; Lightspan, Inc.'s College Division Sees Unprecedented Demand for Internet-Based Learning.

Business Editors and Education/High-Tech Writers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 9, 2000

Academic Systems, Lightspan, Inc.'s (Nasdaq:LSPN) higher education division and a leading provider of multimedia instructional programs for college students, has just shipped new Web-based releases of its award-winning Interactive Mathematics and Interactive English courses. Academic Systems shifted to the Internet in response to faculty requests for student and instructor access at anytime, from anywhere. As a result, the majority of their 280 partner campuses have adopted the new versions for use this fall. These new Web-based releases of Interactive Mathematics and Interactive English are available at the same price as the current CD-ROM versions, but enable faculty to incorporate Web links and notes and generate Web-based reports, in addition to gaining increased accessibility.

"Clearly, the market for online education is exploding, and Academic Systems is in line with the trend," said John Brandon, president of Academic Systems. "The enthusiasm for our Web-based courseware is evidence that faculty and students demand the flexibility Internet instruction offers. The majority of our customers have made the switch, and we expect even more of our campuses to do so during this academic year."

Some of the largest college and university systems have adopted Academic Systems' new Web- based products. These include various California State University campuses; Ivy Tech State College's 24 campuses in Indiana; the Dallas County Community College District; and the St. Petersburg Community College and Valencia Community College Districts in Florida.

Brandon observed that college students' use of online education is accelerating even more rapidly than most people anticipated. "There are many reasons for this stunning growth," he said. "But essentially, the combination of high quality interactive instruction with the convenience of the Web is the clear winner. While much of Web-based instruction is like an electronic correspondence course, Academic Systems offers so much more. Faculty and students love our rich, multimedia content. And now they've gained greater accessibility to teaching and learning."

About Academic Systems

Academic Systems Corporation, the higher education division of Lightspan, Inc. (Nasdaq:LSPN), has focused on meeting the needs of higher education faculty and students since it was founded in 1992. Its first products were interactive, multimedia instructional programs that offer an enhanced learning environment in mathematics and writing for college students in developmental and entry-level courses. Created in concert with educators, Academic Systems' Interactive Mathematics and Interactive English programs have demonstrated increases in learning and achievement. Academic Systems' CD-ROM and Web-based courses are offered at more than 280 college campuses nationwide and are used by more than 250,000 students. academic.com, Academic Systems' newest Web-based product, offers a complete eLearning solution for online general education courses across many disciplines. For more information, visit the Website at www.academic.com or call 800/694-6850.

Statements in this press release that are not historical are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements include, but are not limited to, our belief that more campuses will choose Web-based products in the future, and that the market for on-line education will continue to grow. These statements involve a high degree of risk and uncertainty and are predictions only; actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to differences include volatility of the Company's expenses and operating results, market acceptance of the Company's curriculum-based software and Internet products, management of growth, risks associated with expanding the Company's Internet business, risks associated with new product releases, risks associated with hosting of customer data and server availability, changes in funding for schools, technological advances and risks related thereto, and risks associated with the Company's rapid growth. These factors and others are more fully described under "Risk Factors" in Lightspan, Inc.'s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.