KnowledgeWorks and New Technology Foundation Will Combine to Advance Learner-Centered Education Nationwide

Building on Successful Partnership, New Tech Will Join KnowledgeWorks as the
Centerpiece of Strategy to Rapidly Scale a National Network of Innovative High
Schools Focused on Unique Needs of the Learner

Recognized High School Expert Monica Martinez Named President of New Tech

New Technology Foundation to Become "New Tech Network"
CINCINNATI--(Business Wire)--
KnowledgeWorks and New Technology Foundation (New Tech) today announced plans to
combine the two organizations. New Technology Foundation will become a division
of KnowledgeWorks, supporting the rapid expansion of an innovative,
learner-centered network of high schools nationwide. This integration is
expected to be completed as of October 1, 2009.

Building on a successful partnership, KnowledgeWorks will make New Tech the
centerpiece of a new strategy to provide comprehensive leadership and technical
assistance on high school innovation across the country, leveraging a
complementary portfolio of cutting-edge approaches to learning that are tailored
to the specific challenges of each school and community KnowledgeWorks serves.

KnowledgeWorks` goal is to double the number of these learner-centered high
schools over the next two years, from approximately 100 high schools to more
than 200, and to reach 500 schools by 2015.

"Sharpening our focus on the rapid development of innovative and effective high
schools represents the best opportunity for KnowledgeWorks to realize its vision
of an education system that is highly focused on the unique needs of the
learner," said Chad Wick, CEO of KnowledgeWorks. "Coming together with New
Technology Foundation enhances our ability to offer and implement a
complementary set of approaches that help re-imagine teaching and create
dynamic, relevant learning environments. We are delighted to welcome New Tech to
KnowledgeWorks and look forward to working with them to help prepare more
learners for tomorrow`s challenges."

"Over the last decade, New Tech Foundation has demonstrated its ability to raise
the bar and provide superior quality education to high school students," said
Barry Schuler, former CEO of AOL and current Chair of New Technology
Foundation`s Board of Directors. "Bringing New Tech into KnowledgeWorks will
enable us to scale faster and touch far more communities across the country that
are demanding our 21st Century approach to high school education."

As part of KnowledgeWorks, the New Tech organization will be rebranded and
organized as "New Tech Network," recognizing the growing national network of
schools that share the New Tech approach to education. Reflecting this change,
the organization will be introducing a new logo and website for the New Tech
Network at www.newtechnetwork.org.

Combined OrganizationWell-Equipped to Become Leader in High School Space

KnowledgeWorks` high school initiatives have focused on restructuring large
urban high schools into more effective small high schools and creating
successful and highly innovative Early College High Schools. Through its EdWorks
division, KnowledgeWorks led the creation of over 70 small high schools across
11 urban districts in Ohio, of which six are early college schools. To date,
these schools have increased graduation rates by more than 30 percent and
improved test scores for more than 17,000 urban students.

Utilizing real-world projects as the basis for instruction and a 1:1
student-computer ratio, New Tech high schools create a rigorous, standards-based
learning environment that allows students to develop a wide range of skills
necessary in today`s increasingly competitive and global business environment,
including collaboration, critical thinking, and technology proficiency. The New
Tech approach also incorporates key parts of KnowledgeWorks` "Map of Future
Forces" and 2020 Forecast, which assess and identify the key forces of change
that will shape learning over the next decade. By September 2009, there will be
41 public high schools in the New Tech network with a total of 8,500 students in
9 states.

"I believe the current administration will increasingly come to depend on
well-managed organizations like KnowledgeWorks that have the depth and proven
experience to provide critical leadership in high school innovation," said
former U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley. "I can`t think of a better
partner to help New Tech multiply its successful model, continue to innovate
and, importantly, introduce new approaches to learning to the larger system."

Recognized High School Expert Monica Martinez Named President of New Tech

KnowledgeWorks also announced that its Vice President of Education Strategy
Monica Martinez, Ph.D., who has been working with the New Technology Foundation
over the past year as its Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of
President of the newly integrated organization. She succeeds Susan Schilling,
who will become Senior Advisor for the organization.

Martinez said, "I am excited to be part of such a forward-thinking school
development organization, one that truly understands how to help schools become
powerful learning environments for both teachers and students. The New Tech
approach recognizes that we can excite and engage students and unleash their
imagination by integrating technology and project-based learning. New Tech has
demonstrated in over 50 schools since 2000 that students embrace learning
through problem solving and critical thinking and that teachers welcome their
role as the students` `coach` and `facilitator`."

Martinez guides KnowledgeWorks` efforts to transform the national education
landscape, having overseen the development of new initiatives and coordination
of strategic planning based on the organization`s 2006-2016 Map of Future Forces
as well as the development of its new 2020 Forecast. She also founded the
D.C.-based National High School Alliance, a partnership of more than 40
organizations sharing a common commitment to promoting excellence, equity, and
development of high school-age youth.

Sample Video of a New Tech High School:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-klc2KijMG8

Follow Barry Schuler on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/Bschuler

About KnowledgeWorks

KnowledgeWorks, www.kwfdn.org, strives to be the leader in developing and
implementing innovative and effective approaches to high school education in the
United States.Our work primarily focuses on redesigning urban high schools,
developing STEM and Early College high schools, and supporting student-centered
approaches to delivering real learning and results in our schools.

About the New Tech Foundation

New Technology Foundation, www.newtechfoundation.org, is a school development
organization that supports the start-up and implementation of 21st century high
schools.The National Network of New Technology High School Network currently
comprises 41 schools across the county, including schools in Indiana, Illinois,
North Carolina, New York, Oregon, Colorado, Texas, California, and Louisiana.

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Robinson Lerer & Montgomery
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dmd@rlmnet.com
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acarlton@rlmnet.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009