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American Public University System Receives Grant from Next Generation Learning Challenges to Enhance Student Outcomes Through Sakai Learning Management System

April 11, 2011
Open Academic Analytics Consortium Selected from Field of 600+ Applicants and 50 Finalists

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va., Apr 11, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

American Public University System (APUS) (NASDAQ: APEI) today announced that it has been awarded part of a $250,000 grant from Next Generation Learning Challenges (NGLC) as a member of the Open Academic Analytics Initiative (OAAI). Designed and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates and William & Flora Hewlett Foundations, NGLC is focused on identifying and scaling technology-enabled approaches to dramatically improve college readiness and completion, especially for low-income young adults, in the United States.

The OAAI consortium, led by Marist College, also includes Cerritos College, College of the Redwoods, Howard University and Savannah State University. It will collaborate on technical work, pilot activities, and exploratory research in support of the Sakai learning management system. In addition, APUS will continue to work with IBM on local Sakai implementation, according to APUS Scholar-in-Residence and former Provost Dr. Frank McCluskey.

"We're very pleased to be recognized by NGLC for our collective effort to develop and pilot the application of academic analytics in a diverse range of educational environments," said McCluskey. "We successfully began implementing Sakai at APUS last year to help monitor student trending data to help better predict and intervene when they may need help in the classroom. Coupled with our past recognition by the Sloan Consortium for excellence and best practices in online education, this initiative further validates our standing commitment to provide the optimum student experience and learning outcomes."

"As a large, fully-online institution with a commitment to quality education, APUS will provide a unique opportunity to research best practices associated with implementing academic analytics in online courses," said Josh Baron, principal investigator for the OAAI grant and senior academic technology officer for Marist College. "They will also enable us to better understand how to support online students to help ensure their academic success."

About Next Generation Learning Challenges

NGLC focuses on identifying and scaling technology-enabled approaches to dramatically improve college readiness and completion by addressing a continuum of interrelated issues spanning secondary and postsecondary education from grades 6 through college. NGLC is led by EDUCAUSE in partnership with The League for Innovation in the Community College, the International Association of K-12 Online Learning, and the Council of Chief State School Officers. In addition to funding, NGLC is gathering evidence about effective practices, and working to develop a community dedicated to these persistent challenges. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation helped design the Next Generation Learning Challenges, and fund the initiative.

About American Public University System

American Public University System, winner of the Sloan Consortium's 2009 Ralph E. Gomory Award for Quality Online Education and two-time recipient of Sloan's Effective Practices Award, offers 79 online degree programs through American Public University and American Military University. APUS's relevant curriculum, affordability and flexibility help more than 83,000 working adults worldwide pursue degrees in subjects ranging from homeland security to management and liberal arts. For further information on APUS, please visit www.apus.edu.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release regarding American Public Education, Inc. or its subsidiaries, that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about American Public Education, Inc. and the industry. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future events or results to differ materially from such statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "should", "will" and "would". These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding expected growth and share repurchase activity. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the various risks described in the "Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 as filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.

SOURCE: American Public University System (APUS)

APUS
Brian Muys, 703-334-3225
bmuys@apus.edu
or
Marist College
Tim Massie, 845-575-3174
timmian.massie@marist.edu