The Lightspan Partnership Inc., Heralds Impressive Achievement Results at Title I Conference; Results From Lightspan Achieve Now Show Student Test Scores Dramatically Improved.

Business Editors

Title I Conference

Booth Nos. 231, 233

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 25, 2000

As a key sponsor and exhibitor at the annual Title I Conference in San Antonio, The Lightspan Partnership Inc., a developer of educational software and Internet resources, will demonstrate how its Lightspan Achieve Now(TM) curriculum program contributes to significant achievement results for students nationwide.

The conference will be held Jan. 30 through Feb. 1, 2000, at the San Antonio Convention Center. Lightspan will be exhibiting at booths No. 231 and No. 233 on the conference floor. According to independent studies, the Lightspan Achieve Now curriculum has regularly led to increases in reading and mathematics scores for students using the program.

A composite analysis of studies shows that, on average, 24 percent more students using Lightspan Achieve Now were successful in reading and 46 percent more students using the program were successful in mathematics than their peers who did not use the Lightspan Achieve Now curriculum, as measured by performance on standardized tests.

Presentations at the exhibit booth will explain how the program is being used in schools to improve academic achievement during the school day, before and after school, and in summer school programs. Also, Lightspan representatives will be available for media interviews during the show to discuss the results and the overall program.

&uot;If evaluation results from years of extensive student achievement data analysis in over 340 schools is any indication of effectiveness, then the evidence is clear that students are now succeeding in reading and mathematics due to the powerful effects of Lightspan Achieve Now,&uot; stated Bernice Stafford, Lightspan's vice president of school marketing and evaluation.

Title I is the largest federally-funded educational program for disadvantaged K-12 students in the nation. The 2000 Title I Conference is sponsored by the National Association of State Title I Directors (NASTID), a membership organization of the Title I directors from each of the 50 state departments of education and from each of the territories. Expected attendance is 2,500 local Title I directors, district staff, principals, teachers, superintendents, fiscal officers and state Title I directors.

Lightspan sponsored activities during the conference will include a brunch, a breakout session, and the President's Reception. The brunch will be held on Sunday, January 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at the Marriott Rivercenter. It will provide a forum for colleagues to discuss their school reform projects using Lightspan Achieve Now. The breakout session hosted by Lightspan will be held Monday, January 31, 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., in the San Antonio Convention Center, Room No. 209.

Pam Martin, curriculum specialist and Rhonda Carr, special projects coordinator for the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School in Dallas will present a case study of how Lightspan Achieve Now helped to improve student scores on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) test and reduce summer school registration.

Lightspan will be the sole corporate sponsor of the President's Reception on Monday, January 31, at 6:00 p.m., at the Sunset Station. The reception is an annual event held in honor of Conference presenters. This invitation-only event is open to U.S. Department of Education staff, presenters, state Title I directors, and sponsor's staff. Transportation will be provided from Rivercenter.

About The Lightspan Partnership Inc.

The Lightspan Partnership Inc., provides curriculum-based educational programs that include software, print materials, professional development, and Internet products and services. Used in both schools and in students' homes, Lightspan's programs include delivery systems and content, which help increase student interest in learning, enhance family involvement in education, and encourage productive interaction among teachers, families, and students.

The company's products include: Lightspan Achieve Now(TM), an interactive curriculum program for K-8 students; Interactive Mathematics and Interactive English, curriculum programs for college students offered through Lightspan's higher-education group, Academic Systems Corp.; and an integrated family of Internet products and services for K-12 students offered through Lightspan's Web site, www.lightspan.com.