SYLVAN LEARNING SYSTEMS, INC. AND JOHNS HOPKINS INSTITUTE FORM STRATEGIC ALLIANCE; Agreement Will Provide Supplementary Instructional and Testing Services to the Nation's Most Academically Talented Students.

Learning Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:SLVN) and The Johns Hopkins University's Institute for the Academic Advancement of Youth (IAAY) today announced a comprehensive strategic alliance that will make supplementary instructional and testing services widely available to the nation's most academically able students.

Under the agreement announced today, Sylvan and Johns Hopkins jointly will develop specially designed mathematics and language arts curricula for high achievers. These academic offerings will be made available to students in Sylvan Learning Centers across North America. The specific terms of this element of the agreement will be negotiated in the first quarter of 1996. Sylvan also has entered into a formal agreement to help Johns Hopkins in developing computer adaptive tests that will be administered through the Company's Sylvan Prometric testing division.

William Durden, Executive Director of Johns Hopkins' IAAY, said, "The alliance of Johns Hopkins and Sylvan means that more students will receive an optimal match between their academic needs and their use of appropriately challenging educational resources. Therefore, more students will be prepared for the challenges of the global economy of the 21st century."

The agreement will enable Sylvan and Johns Hopkins' IAAY more effectively to deliver educational services to a larger number of the nation's most academically talented children, who are often underserved in traditional classrooms. Annually, more than 200,000 parents seek out university-based programs in the United States to provide assessment and accelerated educational services for their children. The Johns Hopkins Talent Search, the oldest and largest of these organizations, serves students who score in the top three percent in tests of academic achievement. In response to IAAY's expanded mission, this alliance will vastly increase the availability of instructional and assessment services to more students and families.

According to Sylvan President Doug Becker, "This strategic alliance is a unique opportunity that will dramatically change our image among parents and educators. Through this close association with Johns Hopkins, Sylvan will now provide educational services to students at all points along the academic spectrum, including accelerated learning for high achievers."

Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of educational services to families, schools and industry. It provides computer-based testing services for academic admissions, and professional licensure and certification programs through its Sylvan Prometric division. Sylvan also serves students from kindergarten through the adult level from its more than 600 Sylvan Learning Centers throughout North America. In addition, Sylvan provides educational services to public and non-public school systems through the Sylvan School Support Services Division.

The overall mission of Johns Hopkins IAAY and its component organizations, the Center for Talented Youth (CTY) and the Center for Academic Advancement (CAA), is to advance precollegiate education for students who aspire to meet high academic standards in the liberal arts. In addition to its highly acclaimed research-based work with able students, the organization has recently expanded to influence American education policy and practice for all students who value academic achievement.

CONTACT: Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc.

Media Contact: Vickie Glazar, 410/880-8732

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Morgen-Walke Associates, Inc.

Leslie Feldman, 212/850-5667

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Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc.

Lee McGee, 410/880-0889

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Morgen-Walke Associates, Inc.

Investor Contact:

Donna Stein/Courtney Levi/Cindy Hintelmann

212/850-5600