Florida Officially Adopts FreeReading.net, Free, Open Source Elementary Reading Program

First Open Source Instructional Program Approved Through a State
Adoption Process

An Option to Traditional, Highly Priced Textbooks
BROOKLYN, N.Y.--(Business Wire)--Wireless Generation today announced that www.FreeReading.net, a
free, open source reading program, has been officially adopted by the
state of Florida. The adoption places FreeReading.net on a short list
of K-3 supplemental reading programs that Florida schools may use
state instructional money to purchase for the 2008-2009 school year.
FreeReading.net is the first open source instructional program to be
approved through an official state adoption. The Florida decision,
along with educators' strong positive response to the program,
indicates that school systems will consider alternatives to the
traditional printed textbook.

"K-12 education has long been wedded to the traditional model of
educational publishing, in which textbooks are updated and reprinted
every 5 to 7 years, and schools pay as much as $150 for a single book.
Florida's decision is a significant tipping point, validating the
notion that educators will consider high quality open source
instructional programs as a viable option to support classroom
instruction," said Larry Berger, CEO and Co-Founder of Wireless
Generation.

Open source coupled with a Web 2.0 platform offers distinct
advantages over the traditional publishing model. Instructional
material can be regularly updated to reflect the collective wisdom of
teachers and researchers. In addition, open source instructional
programs can be produced and distributed inexpensively, significantly
reducing or, in the case of FreeReading.net, completely eliminating
the prices that schools pay for such programs. Because FreeReading.net
is available at no charge, Florida districts can invest more of their
textbook funding in instructional tools and materials that support
effective teaching.

At www.FreeReading.net, educators everywhere can access a free,
sequential, research-based reading intervention program for grades
K-1. Open source and Web 2.0 technology enables educators to adapt
FreeReading.net content to their needs, contribute their own lessons
as supplements to the research-based 40-week scope and sequence, and
participate in discussions about early literacy. A FreeReading
Advisory Board of leading reading researchers has reviewed the
FreeReading program and is guiding the expansion of the content, as
well as the creation of a strict quality review process for
contributions. Because FreeReading.net is already available and
doesn't require that textbooks be printed, some Florida schools are
considering the program for use this spring.

Wireless Generation helps PreK-12 educators deliver effective
differentiated instruction with offerings including its award-winning
mCLASS(R) handheld computer-based formative assessments and Web-based
reporting, data analysis and instructional planning tools, and
professional development. The company's success in adapting new and
emerging technology for use in the classroom, combined with an
interest in how the availability of a free, open source instructional
program might affect schools' purchasing decisions, led to the
development of the FreeReading.net instructional program.

"Schools' instructional budgets are primarily earmarked for
textbooks and materials - nationally, approximately 7 to 8 billion
dollars per year.* Educators tell us often of how they struggle to
find the money to purchase other products that improve teaching and
learning, such as assessment tools and professional development
services like those we provide," said Berger. "FreeReading.net is a
step toward changing the status quo and giving schools the money and
flexibility to reprioritize their spending."

About Wireless Generation

Wireless Generation makes effective differentiated instruction
possible for PreK-12 educators with its mCLASS(R) system, which
includes handheld computer-based formative assessments; Web-based
reporting, data analysis and instructional planning tools; and
in-person professional development. The company's commitment to
listening to educators and gaining a deep understanding of their
challenges has led to the development of innovative offerings that
help improve student achievement in reading and math. Currently,
approximately 150,000 teachers in nationwide and overseas use mCLASS
and the company's professional services to collect, analyze, and act
on data in support of 2 million students' reading and math learning.
More information is available on the Web at
www.wirelessgeneration.com.

* Source: EMR, 2005E. Excludes Technology Spending.

Press:
Wireless Generation
Andrea Reibel, 212-796-2207
Cell: 917-653-2746
areibel@wgen.net

Copyright Business Wire 2008