6.27.2000 ET

(CSRwire) Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE: HWP) and NetSchools Corporation today announced plans to partner to offer Internet-based learning to K-12 schools. HP and NetSchools will provide every student and teacher at participating schools with a laptop computer, allowing access to the Internet from school and home, and offering a one-to-one computing environment that provides real results for students and teachers.

"Our companies share a common vision for educational technology," said Diana Bell, general manager of HP's Mobile Computing Division. "It's time we used the power of today's technology to offer a 21st century education, and we believe NetSchools is leading the way by providing a networked solution to administrators, teachers and students. Our combined offering will help bridge technology and education in America."

HP will provide hardware and support services for NetSchools ConstellationTM, a complete computer-based teaching and learning solution. The system includes a NetSchools StudyPro® laptop for every student and an HP OmniBook notebook PC for every teacher, as well as extensive teacher training, support and assessment. HP hardware products supporting the NetSchools Constellation system will include network servers, monitors, printers, networking products, peripherals and notebook PCs. HP also will include tailored support services for schools, including project management and installation services to easily integrate the program and get students and teachers up and running as quickly as possible.

NetSchools Constellation is sold as a comprehensive solution that harnesses the power of cutting-edge technology to empower teachers to improve learning for every student by providing a one-to-one computing environment. The solution, currently in use by more than 14,000 students in 36 schools nationwide, NetSchools Constellation provides an integrated approach to classroom learning that includes standards-aligned curriculum tools; infrared computer networks; and training and support for students, parents and teachers. "HP products such as networking hardware, notebook PCs and support systems are crucial components of NetSchools' Constellation solution," said Scott Redd, chief executive officer of NetSchools. "We are proud that a company such as HP, with its reputation for quality, service and innovation, will help strengthen our commitment to students, teachers and parents nationwide."

HP products enjoy a strong presence in the education market, and the company sponsors several programs that bring new educational opportunities to students of all backgrounds. HP's work with NetSchools is designed to help set a new standard of excellence in accountability, alignment, assessment and achievement for the K-12 market.

The solution fosters focused interaction between students, teachers and families by providing every student with a rugged wireless laptop computer (StudyPro); a local area infrared network; high-speed Internet connectivity; the Academic Information System (AIS), proprietary software that provides 30,000+ educational Web sites that are correlated to local, state and national curriculum standards; and technical and long-term instructional support to ensure the successful implementation of the system.

Every teacher using NetSchools Constellation will receive an HP OmniBook notebook PC to guide, assess and monitor students on their StudyPro machines. Additionally, teachers and administrators will use HP servers, printers, monitors and scanners to support the students' networked systems.

"HP recognizes the need to make technology accessible to individuals of all geographic, educational, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Our work with NetSchools will ensure students and educators receive the necessary tools to succeed in today's technology-driven world," said Bell.

About NetSchools
NetSchools Corporation, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is the leading one-to-one e-learning company focused on transforming K-12 education through technology integration. The company offers NetSchools ConstellationTM, a complete Internet-based learning system that fosters focused interaction between students, teachers and families by providing every student with a rugged wireless laptop computer, a local area infrared network allowing high speed system connectivity for every student, proprietary curriculum software, and technical and long-term instructional support. NetSchools has installed its comprehensive Constellation product in more than 35 schools for approximately 14,000 students in Texas, California, Florida, South Carolina, Mississippi, Connecticut, Georgia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Colorado, Massachusetts, Idaho and New Jersey. The Internet-based curriculum, assessment and community-building components of NetSchools ConstellationTM are also separately available to schools nationwide on the company's new web service, NetSchools.com. For more information about NetSchools Corporation, please visit www.netschools.net.

About HP
Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services -- is focused on making technology and its benefits accessible to individuals and businesses through simple appliances, useful e-services and an Internet infrastructure that's always on.

HP has 86,000 employees worldwide and had total revenue from continuing operations of $42.4 billion in its 1999 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.