Classwell Learning Group and Kinko's Announce Agreement to Offer Custom Classroom Publishing to Educators.

Business/Technology Editors

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2001

Leading Companies Align to Offer Teachers print-on-demand customized

resources for students

Classwell Learning Group, a one-stop online learning service for pre-K-12 teachers, today announced an agreement with Kinko's, the world's leading "clicks and bricks" document solutions provider, to bring customized classroom publishing to schools across the country. The agreement will enable teachers to order custom-made resources tailored to individual student or classroom needs. The alliance is the first of its kind for Classwell and for Kinko's.

Classwell, a strategic partner of Houghton Mifflin Company and Sylvan Ventures, seamlessly combines the three key elements of standards-based education - assessment, instruction and teacher training - providing tools, content and services all at one site. Classwell is the only online learning company in partnership with Kinko's to provide customized publishing. Their exclusive partnership is a major component of the integrated learning destination that helps teachers spend less time searching for the tools they need and spend more time working individually with students.

"Classwell is putting the best tools in the hands of teachers so they can do the job they set out to do -- help their students learn. With Kinko's as a partner we are not only giving teachers the best customized publishing available, we are also providing them with a proven leader in customer service and delivery," said David Cappellucci, president and CEO, Classwell Learning Group.

"Kinko's is a long-time supporter and advocate of new and innovative ways to improve the educational system. We believe aligning ourselves with Classwell, provides Kinko's with an excellent opportunity to reach the educational community on a new level and provide teachers with the necessary tools to do their jobs more effectively," said Marcy Schwam, the regional sales manager who spearheaded the national program for Kinko's, Inc.

Cappellucci also cited a report recently released by the National Center for Education Statistics that found that 80 percent of teachers surveyed use online services to create instructional materials for their students. He added that teachers spend an average of 10-15 hours a week preparing classroom materials. Classwell helps teachers save time and provides their students with more meaningful lessons by integrating rich and customized learning tools through a single online platform.

"For example, Mrs. Smith's fifth grade math class is having a hard time learning fractions. Mrs. Smith goes online to www.classwell.com and selects and organizes student resources into workbooks. She then clicks on Custom Publishing where her workbooks and other materials are printed and delivered to her classroom by Kinko's. It's as easy and simple as that," he said, adding that this feature allows Classwell to provide offline, printed material to complement its online service.

In addition, Classwell will draw from other educational content and services partners to provide teachers access to the brands they have come to know and trust such as Kinko's.

Classwell is available for purchase today and will be in classrooms for the 2001 school year. The Kinko's service is available through school district subscription.

About Classwell

Classwell Learning Group, based in Boston, Massachusetts, is a resource to improve student learning in grades pre-K-12. Classwell's online learning service (www.classwell.com) combines tools and curriculum content to help teachers help students. Classwell seamlessly integrates instruction, assessment and teacher training and localizes content to state and district standards. Classwell also allows for customization and personalization of its content to individual student and teacher needs. Classwell draws from diverse and trusted brands for content and services including Kinko's, Houghton Mifflin Company and Sylvan Ventures.

About Kinko's

Kinko's, Inc. is the world's leading provider of visual communications services, document creation and copying. Its global network of over 1,100 digitally connected locations offer 24-hour access to technology for color printing, finishing and presentation services, Internet access, videoconferencing and Web-based on-demand printing and document management solutions. Named for the third consecutive year as one of Fortune magazines 100 best companies to work for in America, it is a privately held corporation, with more than 25,000 co-workers, and locations in nine countries. Kinko's, Inc. is headquartered in Ventura, Calif. For more information, go to www.kinkos.com.