Former U.S. Education Secretary Bill Bennett to Unveil New Virtual Public Education Alternative for Ohio Families

8/14/2002

From: K12 Public Relations, 703-970-8062

News Advisory:

"Book of Virtues" Editor, Chairman of K12 will speak to parents in six communities across Ohio (August 16-23), unveiling details of the tuition-free Ohio Virtual Academy, the state's newest public education choice.

Beginning Friday, August 16, 2002, former U.S. Secretary of Education and "Book of Virtues" editor Bill Bennett will launch a week-long tour across Ohio to speak at free informational Open Houses sponsored by the new Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA), a new tuition-free public school utilizing traditional academic content and innovative technology. Bennett serves as Chairman of K12, an education company that provides OHVA with a world-class academic curriculum.

The Open Houses, sponsored by the Ohio Virtual Academy, are free and open to the public. Parents who attend can learn about the Ohio Virtual Academy, see the K12 curriculum and materials in action, and learn how to enroll their children in these new schools for the coming year.

K12 Chairman William Bennett will be available to the media prior to the start of each Open House. All media are welcome. One-on-one interviews with Bill Bennett will also be considered upon request, as schedule permits.

Friday, August 16, 2002 -- Toledo, OH Location: Clarion Hotel Westgate 3536 Secor Road Toledo, OH 43606 Time: Media Availability at 1:45 p.m. Open House begins at 2 p.m.

Monday, August 19, 2002 -- Columbus, OH Location: Holiday Inn Worthington 175 Hutchinson Avenue Columbus, OH 43235 Time: Media Availability at 1:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Open Houses begin at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tuesday, August 20, 2002 -- Dayton and Cincinnati

Dayton, OH Location: Marriott Dayton 1414 S. Patterson Blvd. Dayton, OH 45409 Time: Media Availability at 12:45 p.m. Open House begins at 1 p.m.

Cincinnati/Blue Ash Location: Embassy Suites Blue Ash 4554 Lake Forest Drive Blue Ash, OH 45242 Time: Media Availability at 6:45 p.m. Open House begins at 7 p.m.

Thursday, August 22, 2002 -- Cleveland/Strongsville Location: Holiday Inn Select Strongsville 15471 Royalton Road Strongsville, OH 44136 Time: Media Availability at 1:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Open Houses begin at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Friday, August 23, 2002 -- Akron, OH Location: Holiday Inn Express Akron South 2940 Chenoweth Road Akron, OH 44312 Time: Media Availability at 9:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Open Houses begin at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

About K12 In development since 1999, K12 is led by the former U.S. Secretary of Education, William J. Bennett, and an experienced team of learning and technology experts. K12's programs include a complete curriculum for children as well as an array of supplementary learning and assessment tools. A recent independent study from KPMG found that K12 features "a rigorous assessment plan," provides "flexible accommodations for various learning styles," and is "systematically designed, clearly written, research-based." Programs for grades K-5 will be available in 2002. For more information on K12, visit http://www.K12.com or call 1-888-968-7512 (toll free).

For more information about the Ohio Virtual Academy visit http://www.ohva.org or call toll free 1-866-512-2273.