Blackboard and MiCTA/ATAlliance Reach Agreement for e-Learning Products

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Blackboard Inc. (Nasdaq: BBBB) announced today that it has reached an agreement with MiCTA/ATAlliance that will create increased value for MiCTA/ATAlliance members who purchase certain Blackboard e-learning products and services. Included in the new plan are the Blackboard Learning System(TM), Blackboard Learning System — Basic EditionTM, Blackboard Community SystemTM, Blackboard(R) ASP Services, and Blackboard Global Services.

The Blackboard Learning System, Blackboard’s flagship product, delivers education online, and includes tools for content distribution, assessment, grade book management and collaboration and analysis of learning outcomes. The Blackboard Community System provides a customizable community environment that unifies academics, commerce, communities, and administrative services online through an integrated interface.

MiCTA is a member driven, nonprofit organization which represents government, higher education, K-12 education, health care, libraries, and other nonprofits in the technology arena. MiCTA aggregates member demand, coordinates national RFP’s, and negotiates contracts for best quality, best value products and services. Their diverse offering of programs includes Voice, Video and Data services, eLearning Course Management, Computers, Office and Library Supplies. The ATAlliance is an organization formed by MiCTA and the four educational compacts, MHEC, SREB, NEBHE, and WICHE. ATAlliance identifies needs of education in ways of policy, standards, and cost saving programs on a national scale.

Blackboard last year was awarded approved vendor status by MiCTA/ATAlliance after Blackboard successfully competed in a comprehensive request for proposal process that recognized Blackboard products and services for high levels of value, quality, and service.

“Blackboard has put significant effort into reaching an agreement that will provide MiCTA/ATAlliance members with superior value,” said Michael Chasen, CEO of Blackboard. “Blackboard recognizes the important role played in the non-profit world by MiCTA/ATAlliance, and it will continue to work closely with the organization and its members to respond to their e-learning needs.”

“Blackboard’s agreement with MiCTA and the ATAlliance has been highly anticipated by our members,” said John Rathje, CEO of MiCTA Service Corporation, the program administrator of MiCTA and the ATAlliance. “In implementing this new program, MiCTA and the ATAlliance look forward to continued close cooperation with Blackboard in introducing and furnishing Blackboard products and services to our membership.”

Blackboard will work directly with MiCTA/ATAlliance and its members, participating in conferences, providing membership with regular product briefings and Blackboard Days at MiCTA/ATAlliance member institutions, and soliciting member feedback for Blackboard product development efforts.

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 18, 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 18, 2004.

Contacts:
Investor Contact:
Michael J. Stanton of Blackboard Inc.
+1-202-463-4860 ext. 2305
Stanton@blackboard.com

Media Contact:
Darren Spinck of DBC Public Relations Experts
+1-866-774-4720
Darren@dbcpr.com
Web site: http://www.blackboard.com
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