LAS VEGAS, July 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Blackboard Inc.
(Nasdaq: BBBB) today announced that it has been selected by New Mexico to
partner in a landmark initiative to deploy a single, statewide e-learning
platform that will be the first of its kind to connect teaching, learning, and
training for the state's K-20, adult education, and government communities.
The initiative will give all of New Mexico's public schools, colleges, and
universities the ability to develop, share, and offer online courses and
tutoring; increase access to quality teaching and educational opportunities
for underserved students; and streamline training and workforce development
efforts for adult learners and government employees. Collectively, the
initiative has the potential to reach approximately 500,000 students, workers
and adult learners.
In addition, the initiative will support a new cyber academy that will
allow students to participate in courses offered at high schools, colleges,
and universities across the state, opening up a wealth of enrollment
opportunities that can help to increase the percentage of students that
graduate from high school and attend college.
New Mexico will be the first state in the nation to deploy such a
comprehensive, connected, and scalable K-20 and adult education system to
support lifelong learning. The initiative presents a model for other states
seeking to use technology to improve educational access, increase academic
achievement, enhance workforce competitiveness, and drive economic
development.
The partnership with Blackboard supports the Innovative Digital Education
and Learning in New Mexico (IDEAL-NM) initiative, created by New Mexico
Governor Bill Richardson to improve the state's economic competitiveness by
supporting and expanding the educational collaboration and capacity of the
state's schools, colleges, universities, and government agencies.
"We in New Mexico are building an innovative system of delivering
education across the barriers of distance as well as the barriers of different
pre-K-12 and higher education communities and educational cultures," said New
Mexico Cabinet Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Reed Dasenbrock. "IDEAL-NM is
central to our vision of a 21st century educational system in which all can
participate and all can benefit from this exciting endeavor."
"We congratulate New Mexico for breaking new ground in the K-20 movement
with this ambitious initiative," said Michael L. Chasen, President and CEO of
Blackboard. "We are excited about working with New Mexico in this
unprecedented effort, one that can generate significant and lasting benefits
for individuals and communities throughout the state."
The announcement was made in Las Vegas, Nevada, where more than 2,000
members of the global e-learning community convened at BbWorld(R) '08,
Blackboard's annual event focused on best practices and innovative
breakthroughs in education technology.
Working with Blackboard, the initiative will replace 22 different
technology systems with a single e-learning platform, hosted by Blackboard
Managed Hosting(SM), that will:
-- Allow New Mexico's 89 public school districts and 25 public colleges
and universities to increase access and engagement for underserved students
and overcome barriers for students in both urban and rural areas.
-- Expand professional development opportunities and create a network of
highly-qualified teachers that can work with students across the state,
particularly in areas with too few teachers in critical subject areas and
small districts with limited staff capacity.
-- Better integrate the state's PK-12 and higher education communities to
reduce dropouts, increase college opportunity, and facilitate greater sharing
of instructional expertise and content, administrative services, and other
resources.
-- Create seamless training for state agencies, as well as adult education
and workforce development programs to improve the skills of workers,
particularly in rural areas.
"We envision IDEAL-NM expanding educational opportunities and access,
improving graduation rates, and involving students more in their own
educational planning," said Dr. Veronica C. Garcia, New Mexico Secretary of
Public Education. "This partnership will help give our young people-and our
state-the tools they will need to thrive in the 21st century."
About Blackboard, Inc.
Blackboard Inc. (Nasdaq: BBBB) is a global leader in enterprise technology
and innovative solutions that improve the experience of millions of students
and learners around the world every day. Blackboard's solutions allow
thousands of higher education, K-12, professional, corporate, and government
organizations to extend teaching and learning online, facilitate campus
commerce and security, and communicate more effectively with their
communities. Founded in 1997, Blackboard is headquartered in Washington, D.C.,
with offices in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Blackboard
Educate. Innovate. Everywhere.(TM)
Any statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and
prospects for Blackboard and other statements containing the words "believes,"
"anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will," and similar expressions, constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those
indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important
factors, including the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of our
Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2008 with the SEC. In addition, the forward-looking
statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of
July 16, 2008. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments
will cause the Company's views to change. However, while the Company may elect
to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the
Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking
statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of
any date subsequent to July 16, 2008.
SOURCE Blackboard Inc.