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For Immediate Release                                 CONTACT:  Lee McGee
                                                                (410) 843-8704
                                                                Linda Palarino
                                                                (410) 843-8094


          SYLVAN LEARNING SYSTEMS, INC. ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF TENDER
 OFFER PERIOD AND REDUCTION OF THE SHARES OFFERED TO PURCHASE FROM 9.5 TO 7.5
                                MILLION SHARES


     Baltimore, MD, April 18, 2000 - Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:
SLVN) today announced that it is extending the tender offer period for its self
tender offer from 12:00 Midnight Eastern time, on April 17, 2000, until 12:00
Midnight Eastern time, on May 1, 2000. Additionally, Sylvan has reduced the
number of shares offered to purchase to 7.5 million, from the original offer of
9.5 million shares, as a result of recent NASDAQ market volatility. Accordingly,
the tender offer, proration period and withdrawal rights will expire at 12:00
Midnight Eastern time, on May 1, 2000, unless Sylvan extends the tender offer
further.  Sylvan commenced the tender offer on March 21, 2000, when it offered
to purchase up to 9.5 million shares of its common stock at a price between
$15.25 and $17.50 per share net to the seller in cash, without interest. All
terms and conditions of the offer, including the price range for the purchase of
the shares, as described in the Offer to Purchase continue to apply to the offer
as extended.

     This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer
to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any shares of the company's
common stock. The solicitation of offers to buy the company's common stock is
only being made pursuant to the tender offer documents, including the Offer to
Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal, which were previously filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Shareowners should read those materials
carefully prior to making any decisions with respect to the tender offer because
they contain important information, including the various terms and conditions
of the offer. Copies of the Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal
and other tender offer documents can be obtained for free by calling the
Information Agent, D.F. King & Co., Inc. at 800-487-4870. Shareowners also can
obtain the Offer to Purchase and related materials for free at the SEC's website
at www.sec.gov.

About Sylvan Learning Systems

Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. (www.sylvan.net) is the leading provider of
educational services to families, schools and industry.  The Sylvan Learning
Centers and Contract Education Services divisions provide personalized
instruction services to K-12 students through direct consumer relationships and
under contract to school systems.  Sylvan provides courses to adult students
throughout the world in the areas of English language, Teacher Training and
accredited University offerings through the Wall Street Institute/ASPECT, Canter
and Sylvan International Universities subsidiaries.  Through its affiliate,
Caliber Learning Network, Inc., Sylvan also has the ability to distribute world-
class adult professional education and training programs.
