Renaissance Learning, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2009 Results; Orders and Revenue Increase, Earnings Double

Renaissance Learning(TM), Inc. (Nasdaq: RLRN), a leading provider of technology to support personalized practice, differentiated instruction, and progress monitoring in reading, math, and writing for pre-K-12 schools and districts, today announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. Revenues for the third quarter of 2009 were $31.8 million, an increase of 12.6% from third quarter 2008 revenues of $28.2 million. Net income was $5.2 million, or $.18 per share, compared to net income of $2.6 million, or $.09 per share, for the third quarter last year.

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Revenues for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009 were $89.1 million, up 4.0% from 2008 revenues of $85.6 million. Net income was $13.2 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, up 55.4% from the prior year's net income of $8.5 million. Earnings per share for the nine months of 2009 were $.45, compared to $.29, in the first nine months of 2008.

"I am pleased to report these excellent third quarter results," commented Terrance D. Paul, Chief Executive Officer. "Third quarter revenue is the highest quarterly revenue since 2003, earnings doubled from last year's third quarter, and operating cash flow of $16.7 million was a new quarterly high. Orders were up 34% for the quarter.

"As good as this quarter was, future periods will likely be more challenging due to seasonal variations and to recession-related pressure on school funding, especially as stimulus dollars are used up," continued Paul. "On the other hand, our customers understand the value of our products to accelerate learning, and with our growing customer base, exceptional product lineup, strong balance sheet and solid cash flow, we believe we are positioned to achieve solid growth in the longer term."

Renaissance Learning added approximately 800 new customer schools during the quarter, bringing total schools worldwide that are actively using the Company's products to over 74,000. Of these, more than 30,000 are actively using at least one product running on the Renaissance Place platform.

The Company will hold a conference call at 5:00 p.m. EDT today to discuss its financial results, quarterly highlights, and business outlook. The teleconference may be accessed in listen-only mode by dialing 877-869-3847 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Please call a few minutes before the scheduled start time to ensure a proper connection.

A digital recording of the conference call will be made available on October 19, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. through October 26, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. The replay dial-in is 877-660-6853. The conference account number to access the replay is 350 and replay ID number is 332624.

Renaissance Learning, Inc.

Renaissance Learning, Inc. is the world's leading provider of computer-based assessment technology for pre-K-12 schools. Adopted by more than 74,000 schools, Renaissance Learning's tools provide daily formative assessment and periodic progress-monitoring technology to enhance core curriculum, support differentiated instruction, and personalize practice in reading, writing and math. Renaissance Learning products help educators make the practice component of their existing curriculum more effective by providing tools to personalize practice and easily manage the daily activities for students of all levels. As a result, teachers using Renaissance Learning products accelerate learning, get more satisfaction from teaching, and help students achieve higher test scores on state and national tests. Renaissance Learning has seven U.S. locations and subsidiaries in Canada and the United Kingdom.

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding growth prospects and management's expectations regarding orders and financial results for 2009 and future periods. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and various assumptions which management believes are reasonable. However, these statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results encompassed within the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the failure of AR and AM Enterprise and laptop orders to achieve expected growth targets, a decline in quiz sales that exceeds forecasts, risks associated with the implementation of the Company's strategic growth plan, dependence on educational institutions and government funding, our ability to successfully implement cost savings measures and achieve cost reductions, and other risks affecting the Company's business as described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K and later filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, which factors are incorporated herein by reference. The Company expressly disclaims a duty to provide updates to forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or other occurrences.

(tables to follow)

                              RENAISSANCE LEARNING(R), INC.
                            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                (dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                     (unaudited)


                                         Three Months         Nine Months
                                     Ended September 30,   Ended September 30,
                                        2009      2008       2009      2008

    Net sales:
      Products                       $21,941    $19,439    $63,811    $63,532
      Services                         9,813      8,761     25,278     22,100
        Total net sales               31,754     28,200     89,089     85,632

    Cost of sales:
      Products                         3,693      3,176     10,603     11,175
      Services                         3,419      3,664      8,771      9,993
        Total cost of sales            7,112      6,840     19,374     21,168

    Gross profit                      24,642     21,360     69,715     64,464

    Operating expenses:
      Product development              4,110      4,521     12,488     12,822
      Selling and marketing            9,558      8,953     26,882     27,230
      General and administrative       3,397      4,226     10,030     11,783

    Total operating expenses          17,065     17,700     49,400     51,835

    Operating income                   7,577      3,660     20,315     12,629

    Other income (expense), net          218        275        401        616

    Income before income taxes         7,795      3,935     20,716     13,245

    Income taxes                       2,590      1,365      7,474      4,722

    Net income                        $5,205     $2,570    $13,242     $8,523

    Income per share:
      Basic and Diluted                $0.18      $0.09      $0.45      $0.29

    Weighted average shares
     outstanding:
      Basic                       29,224,309 29,118,309 29,208,957 29,082,067
      Diluted                     29,224,376 29,120,940 29,208,985 29,085,529

SOURCE Renaissance Learning, Inc.

http://www.renlearn.com

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