Apex Learning and iMind Education Systems Unite to Bring Standards-Based Assessment to Virtual High Schools.

Business Editors/Education Writers

BELLEVUE, Wash. & CORTE MADERA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Feb. 5, 2001

Alliance Delivers Readily Available Assessment and Review Tools

to Virtual School Teachers and Students

Apex Learning Inc., a builder and operator of virtual schools, and iMind(TM) Education Systems, a leading provider of Internet-based education technology solutions, today announced their alliance to distribute and co-brand the iMind student-assessment platform, iMind TutorPro(TM).

The agreement gives Apex Learning exclusive rights to distribute a customized version of the iMind TutorPro product to states and school districts who choose Apex Learning's online infrastructure, accredited courses and support services for their virtual high schools.

"By partnering with iMind, we are now able to offer states and school districts a measuring tool that further enriches the virtual school experience," said Keith Oelrich, president and CEO of Apex Learning. "The addition of this new student-assessment platform to our suite of virtual school services will allow teachers to better understand and assess an individual student's educational needs and tailor the curriculum to those needs."

This product provides real-time assessment for students at an individual level. It begins by taking students through a comprehensive, diagnostic test based on state standards. Students answer questions for distinct skill sets in both language arts and mathematics. Once completed, students and teachers receive a detailed diagnostic score report that gives a clear barometer of student performance. The results become the basis for an individualized course of study.

"The decision to exclusively partner with Apex Learning for the K-12 online education market is due to its quality accredited courses, our similar development philosophies and curricular directions, and their strong established relationships with states and large school districts," said Mark A. Popp, chairman and CEO of iMind Education Systems. "This alliance further validates our ability to easily deploy our open, scalable learning platforms across multiple channels thereby providing us with the ability to rapidly reach and impact more students."

In the past five months, Apex Learning has announced agreements to help build and operate virtual schools by providing its suite of online infrastructure, accredited courses, and support services to South Dakota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Kentucky, New Mexico, Washington, and Utah, as well as the Milwaukee School District and the Houston Independent School District, the fourth largest school district in the country.

About Apex Learning

Apex Learning, a builder and operator of virtual schools, partners with states and school districts to make education more accessible for their students and teachers. Apex Learning provides the online infrastructure, accredited courses, and support services to build and operate virtual high schools, Online Professional Development Institutes, and assessment and review tools. Apex Learning's virtual schools address states' and school districts' need to cost-effectively bring quality instruction to more K-12 students and teachers. The company's Online AP Courses are fully accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. Founded 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 iMind Education Systems, Inc.

iMind Education Systems, Inc. develops and sells Internet-based education solutions that support student-achievement, teacher-effectiveness, administrative-accountability and parent-involvement. iMind offers the only K-12 technology platform that combines community, assessment, management, and planning. iMind is a scalable, standards-based, technology platform that offers a suite of Internet-based applications, iMind Integrator(TM), iMind TutorPro(TM), and iMind Internet Hubs, that are delivered through the iMind Education Server (iES) platform for the enhancement of learning. The company was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Corte Madera, California. For more information, visit www.imind.com.