Berkery, Noyes & Co. represents Pearson Education on its sale of Cuisenaire to ETA

NEW YORK, April 7, 2000 — ETA announced today the expansion of its leadership in manipulatives-based mathematics education with its acquisition today of Cuisenaire Company of America, formerly part of Pearson Education. Effective immediately, ETA becomes ETA/Cuisenaire®. In a related transaction, ETA/Cuisenaire has sold the dealer business of Cuisenaire to Learning Resources®, Inc., Vernon Hills, IL, an educational materials manufacturer.

ETA, founded in 1965, specializes in supplying K-12 classroom teachers with innovative, hands-on learning products in math, science, and reading/language arts. Over the past 35 years, ETA has become one of the nation’s leading developers and distributors of educational materials for schools. Popular ETA brands used throughout U.S. schools today include VersaTiles®, Algeblocks®, Factor Blocks^TM, ManipuLite® products, and Reading Rods^TM.

Cuisenaire Company of America, founded in 1958, was one of the first companies in the United States to focus on math manipulative products. Widely recognized in the educational community for high quality products and educational content, Cuisenaire is best known for its pioneering Cuisenaire® Rods used to help children explore math concepts through hands-on learning. Other well-known and respected Cuisenaire brands include the Super Source® books, Snap® Cubes, Link-Its^TM Links, and PentaBlocks^TM. The Cuisenaire acquisition will expand the scope of instructional support materials ETA offers in math and science while maintaining ETA’s long-standing tradition of quality and value.

Dennis Goldman, ETA President, envisions a bright future as Cuisenaire joins the ETA family. "Helping children achieve success and enjoy learning is a commitment in which ETA and Cuisenaire take pride," states Mr. Goldman. "ETA shares the pioneering spirit of Cuisenaire through our development, manufacturing, and distribution of manipulatives and supplemental materials. In addition to our shared commitment, this spirit fuels our mission to be the best provider of high quality instructional manipulatives for schools throughout the country."

Bill Oldsey, Senior Vice President of Pearson Education, adds, "Students, teachers, and parents have benefited from Cuisenaire products for more than 40 years. I am confident that ETA will champion the Cuisenaire learning tools into the future and continue the goal of actively engaging children in their understanding of math concepts." ETA/Cuisenaire, a privately owned company located in Vernon Hills, IL, is a leading supplier of educational materials to elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide.

ETA/Cuisenaire provides manipulatives and supplemental materials focusing in the areas of math, science, and reading/language arts. For more information about ETA/Cuisenaire, visit our website at www.etacuisenaire.com, or phone toll free at 800-445-5985.