Apex Learning Selects Jones Knowledge to Distribute Online Professional Development Courses.

Business Editors & Education Writers

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2002

Twenty-five Courses Address Wide Range of Topics for K-12 Teachers

Apex Learning's online professional development courses for teachers are now available through Jones Knowledge(TM), Inc. As a result of a recently signed agreement between the two companies, Jones Knowledge will deliver 25 Apex Learning online professional development courses via its Jones e-education(TM) course management and delivery platform.

Apex Learning's online professional development courses, developed for K-12 teachers, address topics ranging from teaching Advanced Placement courses to classroom management and assessment.

"School districts are looking for ways to offer teachers professional development opportunities that meet their specific needs and fit into their busy schedules," said Keith Oelrich, president and CEO, Apex Learning. "With Apex Learning's professional development courses, Jones Knowledge customers will have a cost-effective way to offer their teachers individualized professional development that they can participate in during a prep period at school or anywhere there is a computer and an Internet connection."

Apex Learning's professional development workshops generally take less than 15 hours to complete and participants may enroll individually and proceed at their own paces or enroll as part of a group and proceed on a schedule. These practical courses include engaging multimedia activities and individual dialogue with online instructors who guide the learners.

"Apex Learning has developed an impressive series of professional development courses for K-12 teachers, and we are pleased to be adding them to our existing collection of high-quality, licensable content," said Heather O'Mara, president of Jones Knowledge. "They will enhance our ability to meet the needs of the K-12 community."

About Apex Learning

Apex Learning (www.apexlearning.com) is the leading provider of virtual school solutions for K-12 institutions. Educators use virtual schools to give more students access to hard-to-staff courses. Apex Learning offers complete solutions including technology, curriculum, and support service designed for K-12 requirements. The company was among the first to offer online courses and has four years experience providing effective Internet classrooms for thousands of students. Apex Learning is fully accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. Started by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, Apex Learning is a privately held company with investments from Vulcan Ventures, Warburg Pincus, Edison Schools, Maveron LLC, Kaplan Ventures, and Michigan State University.

About Jones Knowledge(TM), Inc.

Jones Knowledge, Inc. is a leader in the development and deployment of online learning solutions for K-12 schools and school districts. The company's businesses include Jones e-education(TM), Inc., a course management and delivery platform; Jones International University(R), Ltd., the first fully online, accredited university, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees and professional certificate programs; Jones e-global library(R), Inc., a comprehensive suite of online library research tools; and Knowledge Store(R), Inc., a comprehensive collection of licensable, high-quality education content, including the breadth of secondary school curriculum. Jones Knowledge is a subsidiary of Jones International(TM), Ltd. To learn more about Jones Knowledge, visit www.jonesknowledge.com.