Universities Test Drive New Online Portfolio Solution in Preparation for New Academic Year

WASHINGTON, DC, Apr 25, 2006 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBB) announced today the launch of the WebCT Portfolio(TM) Early Access Program (EAP). The program aims to provide a select group of clients with a pre-release opportunity to view and work in the much-anticipated WebCT Portfolio. WebCT recently merged with Blackboard and the combined company continues to provide and support the full range of each organization's product lines to education institutions around the world.

Universities from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom are taking part in the WebCT Portfolio EAP. US institutions, including UMassOnline, Drexel University, Ramapo College of New Jersey, North Carolina State University and Stanford University School of Medicine, will be able to test drive the portfolio system, start training faculty and evaluate the product overall before committing to implement it for the September 2006 academic year. UK and Canadian institutions taking part are University of Nottingham, University of Sheffield, University of Strathclyde, University of Birmingham and University of British Columbia.

"The WebCT Portfolio was built with our campus needs in mind along with the needs of other partner institutions," said EAP member Lou Harrison, director of information technology, learning technologies, North Carolina State University. "Students will now have a way to collect, organize, contemplate, and showcase their work for deeper learning, more comprehensive assessment, and a significant advantage as they start their careers."

The WebCT Portfolio is a learner-centered portfolio solution that facilitates personal development planning for university students. The new product will give students at universities deploying WebCT technology from Blackboard a personal online space where they can collect course materials, present academic achievements and reflect on those achievements over time.

The WebCT Portfolio efficiently updates the practice of maintaining paper-based portfolios and expands their use well beyond the arts, according to Michael Chasen, Blackboard President and Chief Executive Officer. "As with so much else, the portfolio has gone digital, and the Internet has dramatically expanded the potential benefits across all disciplines and potentially over lifetimes," he said. "We look forward to seeing immediate results for students and institutions with WebCT technology, and are excited that all Blackboard clients will have access to the benefits of ePortfolios."

Clients can experience the WebCT Portfolio themselves by taking part in a complimentary online seminar "WebCT Portfolio -- a Preview" on May 23, 24 or 25, and by registering for special pre-conference workshops and sessions at IMPACT 2006 in Chicago, July 10-14th. For more information, please email portfolioinfo@blackboard.com.

About Blackboard

Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBB) is a leading provider of enterprise software applications and related services to the education industry. Founded in 1997, Blackboard enables educational innovations everywhere by connecting people and technology. Blackboard solutions are used by millions of people at academic institutions around the globe, including colleges, universities, K-12 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 in North America, Europe and Asia. WebCT is a wholly owned subsidiary of Blackboard Inc.

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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 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 15, 2006 with the SEC. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of April 25, 2006. 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 April 25, 2006.

Senior Manager Public Relations
at Blackboard:
Melissa Chotiner
Blackboard Inc.
+1 202 463 4860 ext. 2404

SOURCE: Blackboard Inc.