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

2/12/2003

From: Bryan Flood of K12, 703-970-8135 or bflood@k12.com

News Advisory:

On Tuesday, February 18, 2003, former U.S. Secretary of Education and The Book of Virtues editor Bill Bennett will speak at free a Parent Information Session sponsored by the Wisconsin Virtual Academy (WIVA), a new public education program utilizing traditional academic content and innovative technology. WIVA, which will offer courses to children from across Wisconsin in grades K-7 beginning in September 2003, is a virtual charter school chartered by the Northern Ozaukee School District, in Fredonia. Bennett serves as Chairman of K12 Inc. (K12) an education company that will provide WIVA with a world-class academic curriculum.

In addition to the event with Bennett on February 18, WIVA will be hosting a series Parent Information Sessions in communities across the state, beginning on Thursday, February 13, and running through Friday, February 21. All of the WIVA Information Sessions are free and open to the public. Parents who attend can learn about the Wisconsin Virtual Academy, see the K12 curriculum and materials in action, and learn how to enroll their children in this new public education program this year.

Due to the requirement of Wisconsin's Open Enrollment Law, students who may wish to enroll in WIVA must complete an application by February 21, 2003. Submitting an application only secures an option to enroll in WIVA in September 2003, it does not commit a student to attending the school.

K12 Chairman Bill Bennett will be available to the media prior to the start of the Parent Information Session in Milwaukee on February 18. All media are welcome. One-on-one interviews with Bill Bennett will also be considered upon request, as schedule permits.

Tuesday, February 18, 2002 - Milwaukee, WI

Event: Bill Bennett to Speak at WIVA Parent Information Session

Location: Ramada Inn South 6401 South 13th Street, Milwaukee

Time: Media Availability at 6:30pm CST Information Sessions begins at 7 pm CST

In addition to the above-listed event in Milwaukee, WIVA will host Parent Information Sessions in numerous communities around Wisconsin over the next 10 days. Bill Bennett will not be attending these events, but representatives from WIVA and from K12 will be available to speak with the media in these cities.

Additional WIVA Parent Information Sessions - all times are CST

NOTE: Bill Bennett will not be attending the events listed below - he will only be attending the event in Milwaukee on Tuesday, February 18.

Thursday, February 13, 2003 - Waukesha, WI Location: Holiday Inn, 2417 W. Bluemound Road Times: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Thursday, February 13, 2003 - Platteville, WI Location: U of Wisconsin at Platteville, Touche Room, One University Plaza Time: 7 p.m.

Friday, February 14, 2003 - Germantown, WI Location: Country Inn & Suites, W188/N11020 Maple Road Times: 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Friday, February 14, 2003 - Madison, WI Location: Marriott Madison West, 1313 John Q Hammons Drive Times: 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Monday, February 17, 2003 - Racine, WI Location: Marriott, 7111 Washington Avenue Times: 3 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Monday, February 17, 2003 - Eau Claire, WI Location: Ramada Inn & Conference Center, 1202 W. Clairemont Avenue Times: 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Monday, February 17, 2003 - Stevens Point, WI Location: Best Western Royale, 5110 Main Steet Times: 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Monday, February 17, 2003 - Superior, WI Location: Best Western, 415 Hammond Avenue Times: 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tuesday February 18, 2003 - Ashland, WI Location: AmericInn, 3909 Lake Shore Drive E. Times: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - La Crosse, WI Location: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 200 Pearl Street Times: 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - Appleton, WI Location: Fox Valley Technical, E114A/B, 1825 North Bluemound Drive Times: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - Green Bay, WI Location: Holiday Inn, 200 Main Street Times: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - Janesville, WI Location: Best Western, 3900 Milton Avenue Times: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - Madison, WI Location: Best Western West Towne Suites, 650 Grand Canyon Drive Times: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - Rhinelander, WI Location: Best Western Claridge Motor Inn, 70 N. Stevens Street Times: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Thursday, February 20, 2003 - Oshkosh, WI Location: Hawthorne Inn & Suites, 3105 S. Washburn Street Times: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Thursday, February 20, 2003 - Fond du Lac, WI Location: Moriane Park Tech. College, Bldg A, Room A112, 235 N. National Ave Times: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Thursday, February 20, 2003 - Madison, WI Location: Best Western West Towne Suites, 650 Grand Canyon Drive Times: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Thursday, February 20, 2003 - Wausau, WI Location: Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 1000 Imperial Avenue, Mosinee Times: 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Friday, February 21, 2003 - Sheboygan, WI Location: Ramada Inn Downtown, 723 Center Avenue Time: 10 a.m.

Friday, February 21, 2003 - Milwaukee (Brookfield), WI Location: Courtyard Brookfield, 16365 W. Bluemound, Brookfield Time: 10 a.m.

Friday, February 21, 2003 - West Bend, WI Location: County Inn & Suites, 2000 Gateway Court Time: 10 a.m.

------ About WIVA The Wisconsin Virtual Academy (WIVA) is a new public education program utilizing traditional academic content and innovative technology. WIVA, which will offer courses to children from across Wisconsin in grades K-7, is a virtual charter school chartered by the Northern Ozaukee School District, in Fredonia, WI. Grades 8-12 will be available in future years. K12, an education company led by former U.S. Education Secretary Bill Bennett, will provide WIVA with a world-class academic curriculum. WIVA's unique "team teaching" approach involves a powerful partnership between parents and teachers in which children receive individual attention and a personalized course of instruction. At WIVA, students will complete daily lessons delivered online by K12. However, most student work will be completed away from the computer using books, workbooks, art supplies, and manipulatives. A certified Wisconsin teacher provides guidance, support, accountability, and advice through this process via telephone or e-mail. WIVA is a public school, and is therefore tuition-free.

About K12 K12 Inc. (K12) is an education company led by Bill Bennett, the former U.S. Secretary of Education, editor of The Book of Virtues and author of The Educated Child. K12 is building a comprehensive, standards-based curriculum and learning program. We work with educators and parents across the nation, blending traditional content with innovative technology. K12 is not a school; it is a company that provides a research-based curriculum, innovative instructional tools, and top-quality school management services to schools across America. K12 also serves homeschooling families by making a portion of its curriculum available for direct purchase by consumers. K12 currently works with virtual public schools in seven states: the Arkansas Virtual Academy, the California Virtual Academies, the Colorado Virtual Academy, the Idaho Virtual Academy, the Minnesota Virtual Academy, the Ohio Virtual Academy, and the Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School.

For more information on the Wisconsin Virtual Academy, parents can call 866-512-2273 (toll free) or visit www.wivcs.org. For more information, visit www.k12.com or call 888-968-7512 (toll free).