FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Erin Kampelman
888-726-8100, ext. 128
ekampelman@orchardlng.com
www.orchardlng.com

Orchard Software™ and PracticePlanet™ Win 2009 AEP Awards

Orchard Learning, Inc.™ Products Selected in 5 Categories

ST. LOUIS, MO, July 8th, 2009 - Orchard Learning, Inc. announced today that Orchard Software and PracticePlanet have won in five 2009 Association of Educational Publishers’ (AEP) Awards program categories, the most wins by any submitting educational company this year.

Orchard's pre-K reading and language arts curriculum was recognized as the best product in the AEP Distinguished Achievement Awards' Curriculum – Software category. Orchard was also chosen as the top performer in the Professional Development – Assessment Tools, School Improvement, and Guided Reading categories.

PracticePlanet, Orchard Learning’s web-based test practice product, was chosen as the winner in the Distinguished Achievement Awards’ Technology Innovations – Assessment Tools category.

“We are very proud that Orchard and PracticePlanet have been recognized by the AEP,” said Tom Sawner, Ed.D., President of Orchard Learning. “Orchard Learning is committed to playing a leading role in the success of children and adult learners by providing high-quality, effective software.”

The content in Orchard’s pre-K reading and language arts programs follows the positions of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) on technology and its use with young children and is aligned to the NAEYC-endorsed International Reading Association’s principles.

Orchard Software provides educators with tools to customize student assignments according to individual needs, assess and monitor progress using state-aligned tests, and document school improvement through data management capabilities and detailed reporting.

PracticePlanet provides web-based test practice in grades 2-9 math and language arts and is aligned to state testing standards. Its automated functions for scoring tests, assigning practice, and reporting progress help teachers use class and planning time efficiently, but the program’s 24/7 access, immediate feedback, and reward games are what keep students engaged.

About the Association of Educational Publishers' Awards
Each year the AEP presents awards for outstanding educational products. Distinguished Achievement Awards recognize the best educational resources within the categories of Curriculum, Periodicals, Professional Development, and Technology Innovations. Winners for 2009 will be announced at the AEP's June 12 Awards Banquet in Washington, D.C. For more information about the Association of Educational Publishers, visit www.aepweb.org.

About Orchard Learning, Inc.
Orchard Learning, formerly Siboney Learning Group, is a partner of Educational Options Inc., an Arlington, Va. middle and high school online technology firm. The partnership provides a comprehensive and cost effective full pre-K-12 curriculum solution. Orchard Learning publishes award-winning educational software including Orchard Software, its flagship product line, which provides targeted state standards-based instruction, assessment and data management for pre-K - 9 in reading, language arts, math, and science. Orchard Learning products also include PracticePlanet, online test practice correlated to state testing standards; GAMCO Educational Software, single-title curriculum solutions; and Educational Activities Software, software titles across the curriculum for middle school through adult learners. For more information, visit www.orchardlng.com.

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