Together, the agreements suggest a new model for states, state systems, and other large entities interested in the improved connection of individual campuses and communities through common service platforms that can be used to fulfill more efficient and integrated eLearning and communication objectives.


The new agreements include partnerships with several states and state systems that will use the multi-modal mass-notification services offered by Blackboard Connect(TM):

• The State of Florida has selected Blackboard for a pilot program allowing the Florida Division of Emergency Management and four Florida counties within the I-4 Corridor, including Brevard County, Orange County, Pasco County, and Polk County, to use the Connect-GOV® service for time-sensitive alerts and notifications. Collectively, over one million households will be included in the pilot.
• The State of Mississippi has implemented Blackboard's Connect-GOV service to provide the Executive Director of Mississippi's Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Governor of Mississippi the ability to communicate with residents and staff regarding time-sensitive incidents, which may include both planned and unforeseen public safety matters.
• The Oregon University System has selected Blackboard's Connect-ED service to provide university leaders with the ability to quickly reach students, faculty and staff with time-sensitive information. Under the terms of the agreement, any public or private campus, including community colleges, within the State can acquire the Connect-ED service.

The announcements were made in Las Vegas, Nevada, where more than 2,000 members of the global eLearning community convened at BbWorld® '08, Blackboard's annual event focused on best practices and innovative breakthroughs in education technology.


At BbWorld '08, Blackboard also announced new agreements with the State of New Mexico, which has selected Blackboard as a partner in a landmark initiative to deploy a single, statewide eLearning platform that will be the first of its kind to connect teaching, learning, and training for the state's K-20, adult education, and government communities. In addition, the University of North Carolina and the North Carolina Community College System both selected Blackboard to create a statewide eLearning platform for nearly all of the state's 74 public colleges and universities and roughly one million college students.


"We are excited to partner with a pioneering group of states and statewide systems that have selected Blackboard as their partner to bring eLearning solutions and mass-notification services to their entire communities-, said Michael L. Chasen, President and CEO of Blackboard. "In creating statewide platforms, we are working with these states to create a new model for delivering these services - one that can significantly improve engagement and connection between individual campuses and communities."