K12 Inc. Wins Multiple Awards from the United States Distance Learning Association

May 5, 2010
K12 honored for excellence in distance learning in 2010

ST. LOUIS, May 05, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --K12 Inc. announced today that it won multiple awards from the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) for excellence in the field of distance learning.

The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) presented its 2010 International Distance Learning Awards to K12(R) in conjunction with its 2010 National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. The prestigious International Awards are presented annually to organizations and individuals engaged in the development and delivery of distance learning programs.

K12 won the 21st Century Best Practices Award for its high quality, nationally-recognized online school programs for students in kindergarten through high school. This award is given to an agency, institution or company that has shown outstanding leadership in the field of distance learning. It recognizes pioneering organizations that have changed distance learning and challenged existing practice by developing new and innovative solutions for distance learning instruction.

Ron Packard, founder and CEO of K12 Inc., won the Outstanding Leadership by an Individual in the Field of Distance Learning Award. This award is given to individuals that have excelled and demonstrated leadership in the field of distance learning, developed an innovative distance learning model, or directed a state or nationally recognized program.

K12's Honors Earth Science program won a bronze in the Best Practices in Distance Learning Programming Award. This award is given to organizations that have designed and delivered outstanding and comprehensive best practices for programs delivered through online technologies that are highly engaging and interactive.

K12's Honors Earth Science is a full-year high school course for advanced students. The course includes online lessons, a reference book, laboratories for hands-on investigation, honors projects (including independent research), wet labs, virtual labs, and online debates of current science issues (with student teams). It provides multiple opportunities for students to implement and experience scientific methods and offers appropriate preparation for college-level geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy courses.

"As a premier organization for the entire distance learning profession, we are honoring K12 Inc.as a leader in the industry," said Dr. John G. Flores, CEO of USDLA. "K12 has raised the bar of excellence and we are truly honored by K12's contributions to the distance learning industry."

The USDLA Awards were created to acknowledge major accomplishments in distance learning and to highlight those distance learning instructors, programs, and professionals who have achieved and demonstrated extraordinary results through the use of online, videoconferencing, satellite, and blended learning delivery technologies.

"Congratulations to K12 Inc. and Ron Packard," said Reggie Smith III, President of USDLA. "USDLA takes great pride and responsibility in recognizing excellence and quality that benefit the entire industry. Through distance learning, education, and training we can provide access to the world's best award-winning opportunities for school children, connect higher education students globally and transform the lives and careers of working adults. We are truly on the edge of something great and K12 has clearly demonstrated and confirmed the transformative powers of distance learning globally."

K12 is America's largest provider of online school programs and proprietary curriculum to students in grades K-12. In partnership with charter schools and school districts in the U.S., K12 operates online public schools in 25 states and the District of Columbia. K12also operates the K12 International AcademyTM, an accredited, diploma-granting online private school serving students in over 40 countries. K12 was founded by Ron Packard in 2000 and since then has provided over 1.5 million courses to more than 150,000 students worldwide.

"All of us at K12 are proud that our high quality, innovative products and academic services are succeeding for tens of thousands of children in the U.S. and across the world," said Ron Packard. "Online learning is rapidly changing education and its positive impact is evident. Online schools create more parent choice in education, access to individualized learning programs for students, and new opportunities for teachers. K12 is proud to be the national leader in such a dynamic and exciting field, and honored to be recognized by USDLA for our efforts."

About K12 Inc.

K12 Inc. (NYSE:LRN), a technology-based education company, is the nation's largest provider of proprietary curriculum and online education programs for students in kindergarten through high school. K12 provides its high quality, award-winning curriculum and academic services to online schools, traditional classrooms, blended school programs, and directly to families.

K12 is accredited through the Commission on International Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA), which was recently acquired by AdvancED, the world's largest education community.

K12's mission is to provide an excellent education to any child regardless of his or her geographic location, socio-economic background, or educational need. More information can be found at www.K12.com

About United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)

The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) is a non-profit association formed in 1987 and is located in Boston, Massachusetts. The associationreaches 20,000 people globally with sponsors and members operating in and influencing 46% of the $913 billion dollar U.S. education and training market. USDLA promotes the development and application of distance learning for education and training and serves the needs of the distance learning community by providing advocacy, information, networking and opportunity. Distance learning and training constituencies served include pre-k-12 education, higher and continuing education, home schooling as well as business, corporate, military, government and telehealth markets. The USDLA trademarked logo is the recognized worldwide symbol of dedicated professionals committed to the distance learning industry. http://www.usdla.org

© 2010 K12Inc. K12 is a registered trademark, and the K12 logo and K12 International Academy are trademarks of K12 Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE: K12 Inc.

K12 Inc.
Jeff Kwitowski, 703-483-7281
Vice President, Public Relations
jkwitowski@k12.com