Albuquerque Public Schools Selects the Blackboard Academic Suite(TM) to Enhance Teaching and Learning

WASHINGTON, DC, Dec 05, 2006 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Blackboard Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBB), a leading provider of enterprise technology to the education industry, has been selected by Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) to expand the district's online learning opportunities by creating K-12 and adult professional development courses.

Set to launch in January of 2007, APS's online efforts will accommodate a pilot group of students and target those who prefer an integrated learning experience. The district's K-12 pilot program will feature online discussions, materials postings and testing, enabling teachers to set up specific class modules as the program debuts. Albuquerque Public Schools will include faculty as well as a pilot group of students participating in online courses in core subject areas in their online learning initiatives by fall 2007. In addition to the two professional development courses already offered by APS, the district will add courses in Driver Safety, Nursing, Least Restrictive Environment, Differentiated Instruction, Curriculum Mapping, Internet Safety, and three APS Student Information System Training Modules for fall 2007 for adult learners, teachers and new employees.

"We have experienced very positive reactions from students to our online professional development classes. We started the program with one online ESL (English as a Second Lanaguage) language class. We have now increased that number to five online classes to meet the demand for additional online offerings. It was clear we needed more online education so we invested in Blackboard's technology to meet the needs of our learners," said Sue Carpenter, Manager of Learning Technologies for APS. "Students are not only learning a great deal more through online learning, but also are enjoying the process. As a result, we are expanding into K-12 and adding more professional development offerings."

As one of the largest and most diverse school districts in the nation, APS selected Blackboard's technology to address a variety of challenges and opportunities, such as aiding remedial and high-risk students, increasing the number of advanced placement course options and providing additional online classes which students might otherwise not be able to take due to scheduling conflicts.

"We are privileged to work with Albuquerque Public Schools and welcome the district to Blackboard's K-12 community," said Michael Chasen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Blackboard Inc. "More and more schools across the country are recognizing the myriad ways in which technology can aid education. APS is paving the way for its students by helping them better prepare for college and the work force, where online learning and training are ubiquitous."

About Blackboard Inc.

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. Millions of people use Blackboard everyday 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, Australia and Asia.

Blackboard

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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 Form 10-Q filed on November 9, 2006 with the SEC. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of December 5, 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 December 5, 2006.

Senior Manager Public Relations at Blackboard:
Melissa Chotiner
Blackboard Inc.
202-463-4860 ext. 2404
Contact via http://www.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=D330B8A2C18424B0

Media Contact, Fleishman-Hillard:
Amy Storey
Fleishman-Hillard Inc.
+1 202 828-8819
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SOURCE: Blackboard Inc.