California State University Signs System Wide Deal with Blackboard Inc.

Business Editors/Education Writers/High-Tech Writers

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 24, 2003

Blackboard e-Education software will provide enhanced teaching and learning experience for more than 250,000 students and 30,000 faculty

The California State University system has adopted the Blackboard Learning System and the Blackboard Portal System to meet the e-Education needs of more than 414,000 students and 46,000 faculty and staff.

Under the terms of the agreement, the California State University system is making both the Blackboard Learning System and the Blackboard Portal System available to all of its 23 campuses. Blackboard is also providing ASP Hosting and instructional training. Currently, 14 of the California State University campuses and their 250,000 students and 30,000 faculty and staff have elected to standardize on Blackboard's e-Education software systems.

"We recognize that developing and implementing a strategic plan for academic computing and e-Learning is critical and we view the software solutions from Blackboard as an integral piece to fulfilling our educational mission," said Dr. Sorel Reisman, professor of Information Systems, who represented the CSU in reaching this agreement. "Through Blackboard's ongoing commitment to product innovation and investment in research and development, the Blackboard Learning System and Blackboard Portal System will help ensure our success."

The California State University System is the largest university system in the United States with approximately 414,000 students. In developing their long-term academic technology plans, CSU is committed to significantly leveraging prior technology infrastructure investments while adding next-generation systems as the basis for a significant expansion of academic technology. As part of their overall academic technology plan, the CSU is committed to:

-- Continue to improve the high quality of education provided by

CSU.

-- Provide high levels of student satisfaction with both the

education they receive and the student services that support

instruction.

-- Provide a mechanism by which the faculty of the CSU, both

individually and collectively, can easily create their work

online.

-- Meet the access requirements of California residents eligible

for CSU admission.

"Blackboard is proud the California State University system has selected us as its e-Education partner and we look forward to helping enhance the overall quality of the educational experience on their campuses," said Matthew Pittinsky, Chairman of Blackboard Inc. "The California State University system has some impressive goals related to academic computing and e-Learning and we are pleased to be assisting them through our products and services."

About Blackboard Inc.

Blackboard Inc. was founded with a vision to transform the Internet into a powerful environment for the education experience. Blackboard is a leading provider of e-Education solutions serving the global needs of primary and secondary schools, higher education, corporations and government agencies. Blackboard is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices and staff across North America, South America, Europe and Asia.

About California State University

The California State University is the largest system of senior higher education in the country, with 23 campuses, nearly 414,000students and 46,000 faculty and staff. Since the system was created in 1961, it has awarded more than 2 million degrees. The CSU is renowned for the quality of its teaching and for the job-ready graduates it produces. Its mission is to provide high-quality, affordable education to meet the ever-changing needs of the people of California. With its commitment to excellence, diversity and innovation, the CSU is the university system that is working for California. See: www.calstate.edu.