Training Program Supports Back-to-School Launch at PASSHE Universities

Washington, DC, – October 22, 2004 – Blackboard Inc. (Nasdaq: BBBB) announced today that the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) has expanded the use of the Blackboard Learning System™ as the e-learning platform for its system of 14 state universities. Blackboard's system will be live at 11 universities this academic year – Bloomsburg University, California University, Cheyney University, Clarion University, Edinboro University, Kutztown University, Mansfield University, Millersville University, Shippensburg University, Slippery Rock University, and West Chester University -- and will be launched at the remaining three universities in future semesters.

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), which comprises 14 universities in rural, suburban and small-town settings across the commonwealth, is the largest higher education provider in Pennsylvania. Blackboard will furnish PASSHE faculty and students with improved e-learning capabilities, while providing the universities themselves with system autonomy at the institution level. Tens of thousands of PASSHE's full-time enrollees have the opportunity to begin using Blackboard, and student adoption is occurring rapidly.

In addition to the Blackboard Learning System, PASSHE has purchased the Blackboard Community System™ , as well as a comprehensive training program for faculty and system administrators to help drive the adoption of Blackboard at all of its universities. The training includes an onsite program tailored to the specific needs of each school, as well as online training courses, which currently are being delivered through the Blackboard Learning System at the 11 initial sites.

“The adoption of the Blackboard Learning System by the PASSHE is a premier example of the growing desire among university systems for statewide service and local control,” said Matthew Pittinsky, Chairman of Blackboard. “It reflects an effort among state systems to standardize e-learning at a high level of service system-wide, and still preserve the autonomy of institutions to run installations as they wish.”

“Our expanded Blackboard implementation provides us with a true shared Learning Management System while allowing increased flexibility for our universities,” said Dr. Khalil Yazdi, PASSHE Vice Chancellor of Information Technology. “By integrating all of our enterprise wide applications into a consolidated offering, our universities will be able to maintain their individuality but will be able to offer better quality services to our students and faculty than if they had done this alone. Blackboard is an important piece of this integration.”

“By adopting the Blackboard Learning System, Bloomsburg University is able to participate in PASSHE's shared technology system, while maintaining the individuality of the university's networked learning environment,” said Wayne Mohr, Assistant Vice President, Technology of Bloomsburg University. “Bloomsburg University's students and faculty appreciate Blackboard's ease of use and functionality and look forward to improving the e-learning experience with other PASSHE universities.”

“West Chester University made a strategic decision to offer the Blackboard Learning System to faculty and students. One of the primary reasons Blackboard was selected at West Chester University is the integrated capabilities of the Blackboard Learning System. In addition, Blackboard's training program will augment the local training program that is offered at West Chester University,” said Adel Barimani, Executive Director of Information Technology at West Chester University. “West Chester University's faculty are well prepared for the future of e-learning and have been utilizing Blackboard as a course management tool.”

The Blackboard Learning System and the Blackboard Community System, along with the Blackboard Content System™, are the three leading e-Education solutions contained in the Blackboard Academic Suite™. These solutions together create a comprehensive online learning platform that supports multiple approaches to teaching, learning, research and collaboration.

About Blackboard Inc.

Blackboard is a leading provider of enterprise software and services to the education industry. The Company's product line consists of five software applications bundled in two suites, the Blackboard Academic Suite TM and the Blackboard Commerce Suite TM. Blackboard's clients include colleges, universities, schools and other education providers, as well as textbook publishers and student-focused merchants that serve education providers and their students. Blackboard is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices and staff in North America, Europe and Asia.

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 most recent 10-Q filed with the SEC. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of October 22, 2004. 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 October 22, 2004.

Investor/Corporate Contact:

Michael J. Stanton
Blackboard Inc.
202-463-4860 ext. 2305

Media Contact:

Darren Spinck
DBC Public Relations Experts
866-774-4720
 

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