Sylvan Education Solutions Acquires Progressus Therapy, Inc. Acquisition Broadens Company's Special Education Services to Schools and Communities

November 6 2003--Sylvan Education Solutions, the nation's leading provider of supplemental education and support services to public and non-public schools, has acquired Tampa-based Progressus Therapy, Inc., one of the largest providers of speech-language, occupational, and physical therapists to school districts and communities nationwide. Sylvan Education Solutions is a subsidiary of Educate, Inc., a private provider of K-12 services that purchased the K-12 businesses of Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc., in July 2003.

Sylvan Education Solutions' acquisition of Progressus broadens the company's ability to meet the diverse needs of its institutional clients and immediately accelerates its reach into the special education market. Sylvan Education Solutions currently provides comprehensive educational programs, including supplemental reading and math instruction, early childhood development, English language development, and career readiness for at-risk youth, through its 1,200 school and community locations, in more than 20 states. In addition, Sylvan Education Solutions also provides speech/language therapy, counseling and other support services to schools in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Progressus currently provides managed therapy and special education services to 175 school districts and communities in 20 states.

"By bringing Progressus Therapy together with Sylvan Education Solutions, we are able to offer our clients a single source of talented personnel and proven programs to meet schools' needs in both mainstream classrooms and special education settings," said Jeffrey H. Cohen, president of Sylvan Education Solutions. "With the recent enactment of No Child Left Behind, there is a growing emphasis on the educational development of each student. This acquisition enhances our ability to focus on every child, regardless of age or educational need."

"With this combination, school administrators, principals, teachers, and most importantly, students, can count on Sylvan Education Solutions more than ever to be their trusted partner ready to meet their needs and exceed their expectations," Cohen added.


Founded in 1989, Progressus is one of the largest providers of qualified, professional speech-language, occupational, and physical therapists to schools and school districts through its managed therapy programs. The company, with more than 320 employees, also provides early intervention services through its infant/toddler programs. In addition to its corporate headquarters in Tampa, Progressus has regional offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Baltimore, and Honolulu.

    "We are thrilled to be joining the Sylvan Education Solutions team," said Michael McBurnie, the president of Progressus Therapy. "Joining the nation's leading provider of school-based educational services will allow us to expand our services, scope and offerings. At the same time, the children, families, and schools that currently use our services will see no change at all – we will continue to provide the same high-quality therapy to students across the country."

    School districts are required by federal law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), to provide individualized services to students who qualify. According to the recently released "Twenty-Fourth Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act," more than 6.3 million children now receive services through IDEA. More than one million of these children have speech or language impairments as their primary disability. Currently, more than $50 billion is spent for special education annually in the United States, which includes more than $10 billion from the federal government. Sylvan Education Solutions and Progressus are responding to this rapidly increasing need by providing school districts with qualified therapists, counselors and other educational professionals, as well as program management services to oversee the implementation of special education programs.

    "Many school districts are finding that it is much easier and cost-effective to outsource for qualified therapists rather than to recruit and employ them directly," McBurnie said. "Together with Sylvan Education Solutions, Progressus looks forward to meeting their current and future needs, and to becoming the nation's pre-eminent partner for special education services."

About Sylvan Education Solutions

Sylvan Education Solutions partners with schools and school districts to provide high-quality, research-based supplemental education services, including those called for through the enactment of the landmark No Child Left Behind Act. During the last school year, Sylvan Education Solutions provided services to more than 70,000 students in 900 urban schools across 150 districts. Sylvan Education Solutions also supports schools with specialized services and programs ranging from after-school programs to early childhood education to counseling. Sylvan Education Solutions is a sister company of Sylvan Learning Center, which operates well-known tutoring centers in more than 960 locations across North America serving more than 150,000 students annually. Both companies are owned by parent company, Educate, Inc. More information on Sylvan Education Solutions can be found at www.sylvansolutions.com.



About Progressus Therapy, Inc., a Sylvan Education Solutions Company

Tampa-based Progressus Therapy, Inc. is one of the largest providers of qualified, professional speech-language, occupational, and physical therapists through its school-based therapy programs nationwide. It also provides early intervention services through its infant/toddler programs. Progressus uses a managed therapy and employment model to assist school districts and staff with program development, administrative and clinical support and runs a unique new grad and CFY Program. The company now works with 175 school districts in 20 states. Sylvan Education Solutions acquired the company in November 2003. More information about Progressus can be found at www.progressustherapy.com.




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