California Adopts Riverdeep's Destination Reading(R) For Reading First Intervention; Critically Acclaimed Courseware Positively Reviewed For Teaching Federally Mandated Reading Skills.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Riverdeep's critically acclaimed Destination Reading(R) courseware has been positively reviewed as a Reading First Supplemental Intervention Program Material by the California Department of Education. This recognition means that California Schools can use Reading First grant money to purchase Destination Reading. Reading First, part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, is intended to ensure that every child can read by the end of the third grade.

Destination Reading was eligible for review because of its positive review by the Florida State University Center for Reading Research (FCRR), one of two research centers the California DOE relies on for information about intervention programs. FCRR praised Destination Reading's "well-structured, highly engaging, explicit lesson units for instruction."

"Destination Reading is designed to be a flexible tool in the teacher's hands, supplementing the needs of the students as individuals, small groups, or a class as a whole," the FCRR report concluded. "The program is built on principles of reading instruction substantiated through research as being effective."

"We're naturally very pleased at being included on the California adoption list for Reading First," said Gail Elizabeth Pierson, Riverdeep's Chief Education Officer. "We built Destination Reading specifically to help schools and districts meet the instructional demands of No Child Left Behind, and educators are finding that it does that very well."

About Destination Reading(R)

Destination Reading is comprehensive reading courseware for grades K-8, based on the findings of the National Reading Panel findings and supported by scientific third-party research. Destination Reading courses engage all learners with individualized, media-rich content and cross-curricular connections opening a world of possibilities.

As a part of the Destination Success(TM) solution, Destination Reading combines content correlated to state standards with powerful learning management tools that allow educators to target each student's individual learning needs. It is also supported with customized professional development offerings including on-site and online training, technical support, and funding services.

About Destination Success(TM)

Destination Reading is a part of Riverdeep's Destination Success(TM) program. Destination Success is a new approach to reading and math instruction that lets teachers effectively individualize instruction in a real-world classroom. The program combines standards-based assessment, learning management, award-winning courseware and professional development to help schools raise test scores, even for at-risk students.

About Riverdeep(R)

Riverdeep Inc., A Limited Liability Company, with offices in San Francisco, California, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Dublin (Ireland) and Manchester (United Kingdom) is a leading publisher of interactive products focusing on education and personal productivity for the consumer and school markets. Riverdeep's rich portfolio of interactive award-winning products feature such well-known brands as the Destination Success(TM) solution, which includes Destination Math(R) and Destination Reading(R); The Print Shop(R); Reader Rabbit(R) and Kid Pix(R). For more information, call toll free 888-242-6747 or visit www.riverdeep.net.