10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

x Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005

 

or

 

¨ Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period from              to             .

 

Commission File Number 000-50952

 


 

EDUCATE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   37-1465722

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1001 Fleet Street, Baltimore, Maryland   21202
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (410) 843-8000

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x.    No  ¨.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨.    No  x.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨.    No  x.

 

The registrant had 42,720,017 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of November 7, 2005.

 



Table of Contents

EDUCATE, INC.

 

INDEX

 

                   Page No.

    PART I. - FINANCIAL INFORMATION     
         Item 1.    Financial Statements     
             

Consolidated Balance Sheets – September 30, 2005 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2004

   1
             

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) – For the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004

   3
             

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) – For the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004

   4
             

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) – For the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004

   5
             

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

   6
         Item 2.   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   18
         Item 3.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

   28
         Item 4.   

Controls and Procedures

   29
    PART II. - OTHER INFORMATION     
         Item 1.    Legal Proceedings    30
         Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    30
         Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities    30
         Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    30
         Item 5.    Other Information    30
         Item 6.    Exhibits    30
         SIGNATURE    31


Table of Contents

Educate, Inc.

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

     September 30,
2005


    December 31,
2004


 
     (unaudited)        

Assets

                

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 12,702     $ 14,592  

Receivables:

                

Accounts receivable

     35,690       43,541  

Notes receivable

     123       140  
    


 


       35,813       43,681  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (4,973 )     (3,952 )
    


 


       30,840       39,729  

Inventory

     5,783       2,891  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     7,028       2,728  

Deferred income taxes

     501       3,234  
    


 


Total current assets

     56,854       63,174  

Property and equipment:

                

Furniture and fixtures

     5,187       4,392  

Education materials

     7,371       4,225  

Computer equipment and software

     11,359       8,282  

Leasehold improvements

     11,867       8,516  
    


 


       35,784       25,415  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (15,610 )     (10,366 )
    


 


       20,174       15,049  

Intangible assets:

                

Goodwill

     104,666       69,110  

Tradenames

     139,974       132,425  

Franchise license rights

     85,544       86,000  

Other intangible assets

     8,691       4,898  
    


 


       338,875       292,433  

Accumulated amortization

     (1,416 )     (678 )
    


 


       337,459       291,755  

Other assets

     14,711       11,404  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 429,198     $ 381,382  
    


 


 

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

1


Table of Contents

Educate, Inc.

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)

 

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

     September 30,
2005


   December 31,
2004


     (unaudited)     

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

             

Current liabilities:

             

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 20,720    $ 16,193

Accrued compensation and related benefits

     10,573      13,330

Income taxes payable

     —        822

Current portion of long-term debt

     2,546      2,102

Deferred revenue

     24,343      19,925

Other current liabilities

     246      —  
    

  

Total current liabilities

     58,428      52,372

Long-term debt, less current portion

     140,895      120,411

Other long-term liabilities

     4,542      2,495

Deferred income taxes

     9,357      8,403
    

  

Total liabilities

     213,222      183,681

Commitments and contingencies

     —        —  

Stockholders’ equity:

             

Common stock, par value $0.01, 120,000,000 shares authorized, 42,707,136 and 42,585,019 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively

     427      426

Additional paid-in capital

     192,318      191,002

Retained earnings

     22,945      2,807

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     286      3,466
    

  

Total stockholders’ equity

     215,976      197,701
    

  

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 429,198    $ 381,382
    

  

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

2


Table of Contents

Educate, Inc.

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

 

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three months ended September 30,

 
     2005

    2004

 

Revenues

                

Learning Center:

                

Franchise services

   $ 11,905     $ 11,646  

Company-owned centers

     54,470       36,965  
    


 


Total Learning Center

     66,375       48,611  

Catapult Learning

     12,530       13,750  
    


 


Total revenues

     78,905       62,361  

Costs and expenses

                

Instructional and franchise operations costs

     58,710       43,761  

Marketing and advertising

     7,940       5,542  

Depreciation and amortization

     2,185       2,025  

General and administrative expenses

     3,796       3,133  

Non-cash stock compensation expense (* see detail below)

     51       303  
    


 


Total costs and expenses

     72,682       54,764  
    


 


Operating income

     6,223       7,597  

Other income (expense)

                

Interest income

     105       90  

Interest expense

     (2,159 )     (2,205 )

Other financing costs

     —         (275 )

Foreign exchange gains and other

     133       226  
    


 


Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     4,302       5,433  

Income tax expense

     (1,635 )     (3,496 )
    


 


Income from continuing operations

     2,667       1,937  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit of $602 in 2004

     —         (1,117 )

Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income tax expense of $51 in 2004

     —         83  
    


 


Net income

   $ 2,667     $ 903  
    


 


Earnings (loss) per common share - basic

                

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.06     $ 0.05  

Loss from discontinued operations

   $ —       $ (0.03 )
    


 


Net income

   $ 0.06     $ 0.02  
    


 


Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted

                

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.06     $ 0.05  

Loss from discontinued operations

   $ —       $ (0.03 )
    


 


Net income

   $ 0.06     $ 0.02  
    


 



*       Composition of non-cash stock compensation:

                

Instructional and franchise operations costs

   $ (3 )   $ 94  

General and administrative expenses

   $ 54     $ 209  
    


 


Total

   $ 51     $ 303  
    


 


 

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

3


Table of Contents

Educate, Inc.

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

 

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Nine months ended September 30,

 
     2005

    2004

 

Revenues

                

Learning Center:

                

Franchise services

   $ 41,471     $ 38,324  

Company-owned centers

     148,373       103,588  
    


 


Total Learning Center

     189,844       141,912  

Catapult Learning

     90,368       89,895  
    


 


Total revenues

     280,212       231,807  

Costs and expenses

                

Instructional and franchise operations costs

     199,105       161,995  

Marketing and advertising

     24,682       19,148  

Depreciation and amortization

     6,221       5,669  

General and administrative expenses

     10,413       9,516  

Non-cash stock compensation expense (* see detail below)

     348       8,704  
    


 


Total costs and expenses

     240,769       205,032  
    


 


Operating income

     39,443       26,775  

Other income (expense)

                

Interest income

     252       226  

Interest expense

     (5,907 )     (8,250 )

Other financing costs

     (1,506 )     (5,117 )

Foreign exchange gains and other

     199       389  
    


 


Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     32,481       14,023  

Income tax expense

     (12,343 )     (6,760 )
    


 


Income from continuing operations

     20,138       7,263  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit of $1,529 in 2004

     —         (2,838 )

Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income tax expense of $51 in 2004

     —         83  
    


 


Net income

   $ 20,138     $ 4,508  
    


 


Dividends per common share

   $ —       $ 0.24  
    


 


Earnings (loss) per common share - basic

                

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.47     $ 0.19  

Loss from discontinued operations

   $ —       $ (0.07 )
    


 


Net income

   $ 0.47     $ 0.12  
    


 


Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted

                

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.46     $ 0.19  

Loss from discontinued operations

   $ —       $ (0.07 )
    


 


Net income

   $ 0.46     $ 0.12  
    


 



*       Composition of non-cash stock compensation:

                

Instructional and franchise operations costs

   $ 185     $ 694  

General and administrative expenses

   $ 163     $ 8,010  
    


 


Total

   $ 348     $ 8,704  
    


 


 

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

4


Table of Contents

Educate, Inc.

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

(Dollar amounts in thousands)
(unaudited)

 

     Nine months ended September 30,

 
     2005

    2004

 

Operating activities

                

Income from continuing operations

   $ 20,138     $ 7,263  

Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by continuing operations:

                

Depreciation

     5,427       5,373  

Amortization

     794       296  

Bad debt expense

     688       849  

Deferred income taxes

     6,353       677  

Amortization of software developed for sale

     547       —    

Non-cash stock compensation

     348       8,704  

Other financing costs

     1,506       4,842  

Gain on investments

     —         (219 )

Foreign currency exchange gain

     (251 )     (10 )

Other non-cash items

     (5 )     398  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Receivables

     10,479       12,142  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (2,325 )     (1,196 )

Inventory

     (1,526 )     (588 )

Other assets

     (1,074 )     (180 )

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities

     (1,206 )     (6,552 )

Income taxes

     (1,388 )     3,998  

Deferred revenue

     (4,656 )     (2,069 )

Accrued compensation and related benefits

     (2,175 )     (333 )
    


 


Net cash provided by continuing operations

     31,674       33,395  
    


 


Loss from discontinued operations

     —         (2,755 )

Adjustments to reconcile loss from discontinued operations to net cash used in discontinued operations:

                

Gain on disposal of discontinued operations

     —         (83 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

     —         642  

Depreciation and other non-cash items

     —         301  
    


 


Net cash used in discontinued operations

     —         (1,895 )
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     31,674       31,500  
    


 


Investing activities

                

Cash paid for acquired businesses, net of cash acquired (including acquisition costs of $1,417 in 2005 and $246 in 2004)

     (34,973 )     (4,577 )

Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations

     —         2,166  

Cash paid for internally developed software

     (3,556 )     (2,492 )

Purchases of property and equipment

     (10,570 )     (5,057 )

Change in other assets

     (1,978 )     (1,071 )
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (51,077 )     (11,031 )
    


 


Financing activities

                

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     992       638  

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     —         50,051  

Borrowings on revolving credit facility

     13,000       —    

Payments on revolving credit facility

     (13,000 )     —    

Cash received upon issuance of debt

     140,000       170,000  

Payments on debt

     (123,031 )     (216,009 )

Dividends paid

     —         (9,000 )

Deferred financing costs

     (427 )     (2,499 )

Change in other long-term liabilities

     594       —    
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     18,128       (6,819 )
    


 


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     (615 )     (280 )
    


 


Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     (1,890 )     13,370  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     14,592       20,260  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 12,702     $ 33,630  
    


 


Included in balance sheet caption:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 12,702     $ 33,696  

Assets of discontinued operations held for sale

   $ —       $ (66 )

Supplemental cash flow information:

                

Interest paid

   $ 6,399     $ 11,961  

Income taxes paid

   $ 5,736     $ —    

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

5


Table of Contents

Educate, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

1. Organization, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Description of Business

 

Educate, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a national provider of tutoring, other supplemental education services, and educational products and services to pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, or pre-K-12, students. The Company is organized on the basis of educational services provided, and segments are business units that offer distinct services. Beginning in 2005, the Company began to manage the operations of its previous Online Learning Services segment within its Learning Center segment, and accordingly now has two operating segments. All segment information has been restated to conform to the new presentation. The segments are managed separately as they have different customer bases and delivery channels. Reportable segments are as follows:

 

    The Learning Center segment develops and delivers trusted, personalized tutoring programs through a network of 1,111 franchised and company-owned learning centers in 886 geographical territories in North America operated under the Sylvan brand name, and 993 European franchised and company-owned learning centers operated under the Schülerhilfe brand name. The Learning Center segment offers online instruction in participating franchised and company-owned territories through Sylvan Online. The Learning Center segment also develops and sells educational products and services under the recently-acquired Hooked on Phonics brand name. Sylvan and Hooked on Phonics are two of the most highly recognized brand names in the supplemental education services industry.

 

    The Catapult Learning segment, formerly referred to as Institutional Services, provides tutoring, as well as other supplemental education services and special-needs services, to eligible students of public and private schools through government-funded contracts under the Catapult Learning and other brand names.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The unaudited interim financial information as of September 30, 2005, for the three-month and nine-month periods then ended, and for the comparable periods of the prior year, has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, it does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

Due principally to the timing of school semesters and holiday schedules, the Company is subject to seasonality of reported revenues and expenses that affect reported results of operations. The Company’s Learning Center segment generally experiences lower revenues in the fourth quarter. Learning Center franchisees pay royalties to the Company based on a percentage of cash receipts. Since customers of these franchisees frequently make payments for services in advance, royalty revenues earned by the Company are higher in periods of increased enrollment, particularly in the spring months prior to commencement of peak summer service periods. In addition, the Company’s Catapult Learning segment generates a disproportionate amount of revenues during the first six months of the calendar year. This occurs because many school districts are on break during the summer months and use the first semester which occurs primarily in the fourth calendar quarter to evaluate the specific needs of individual students prior to enrolling students into the Company’s supplemental education programs. In addition, a disproportionate amount of costs associated with the Company’s Catapult Learning segment are incurred and expensed in periods when reported revenue is seasonally at a low point. As a result of these factors, quarter-to-quarter comparisons of results of operation may not be indicative of future results of operations.

 

Certain amounts previously reported for 2004 have been reclassified to conform to the 2005 presentation.

 

6


Table of Contents

Educate, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited, continued)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Stock – Based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for all stock-based compensation plans using the intrinsic value method. Under the intrinsic value method, if the exercise price of the employee stock option equals the estimated fair value of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is generally recognized. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“Statement 123”) encourages companies to recognize expense for stock-based awards based on their estimated fair value on the date of grant. Statement 123 requires the disclosure of pro forma data in the notes to the financial statements if the fair value method is not adopted.

 

The Company has granted stock options and restricted common stock to employees and directors, which are discussed more fully in Note 10.

 

Pro forma net income and earnings per share data have been determined as if the Company had accounted for its stock-based awards using the prescribed fair value based method. For all grants prior to May 14, 2004, the date the Company filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to sell its common stock in a public offering, the Company used the minimum value method. The minimum value method assumes that the fair value of an award is equal to the excess of the fair value of the underlying common stock at the date of grant over the present value of both the exercise price and the expected dividend payments, each discounted at the risk-free rate, over the expected life of the option.

 

For all stock options granted after May 14, 2004, the Company used the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model was developed for estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. Black-Scholes and other option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility. Because the Company’s common stock has been publicly traded only since September 2004, the expected stock price volatility over the expected life of granted options has been based on published volatility measures of companies in the Company’s industry. These estimates of volatility may change in future periods, and the effects could be material.

 

The following assumptions were used in calculating pro forma stock compensation expense:

 

      

Three months ended

September 30,


   

Nine months ended

September 30,


 
       2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 

Risk-free interest rate (range)

     4.18 %   3.13 %   3.81-4.18 %   2.81-3.55 %

Expected dividend yield

     0.00 %   0.00 %               0.00 %               0.00 %

Expected life

     4 years     4 years     4 years     4 years  

Stock price volatility

     44 %   46 %   45 %   46 %

 

The weighted average estimated fair value of stock-based awards was $5.60 and $5.36 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, and $4.60 and $7.41 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively.

 

7


Table of Contents

Educate, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited, continued)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

For the purpose of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the options’ vesting periods. The Company’s pro forma information is as follows:

 

    

Three months ended

September 30,


   

Nine months ended

September 30,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 

Net income as reported

   $ 2,667     $ 903     $ 20,138     $ 4,508  

Stock-based employee compensation expense included in net income as reported, net of tax

     32       240       216       5,450  

Stock-based employee compensation expense using prescribed fair value based methods, net of tax

     (194 )     (252 )     (548 )     (5,626 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma net income

   $ 2,505     $ 891     $ 19,806     $ 4,332  
    


 


 


 


Earnings per common share—basic

                                

As reported

   $ 0.06     $ 0.02     $ 0.47     $ 0.12  

Pro forma

   $ 0.06     $ 0.02     $ 0.46     $ 0.12  

Earnings per common share—diluted

                                

As reported

   $ 0.06     $ 0.02     $ 0.46     $ 0.12  

Pro forma

   $ 0.06     $ 0.02     $ 0.45     $ 0.11  

 

New Accounting Pronouncement

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“Statement 123(R)”), which is a revision of Statement 123. Statement 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their estimated fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative.

 

Statement 123(R) was originally required to be adopted no later than July 1, 2005. On April 14, 2005, the SEC announced that non-small business registrants would not be required to adopt Statement 123(R) until the first fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2005, which effectively extended the adoption deadline for the Company to January 1, 2006. The Company expects to adopt the standard on January 1, 2006. Statement 123(R) permits public companies to adopt its requirements using one of two methods:

 

    A “modified prospective” method in which compensation cost is recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of Statement 123(R) for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of Statement 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of Statement 123(R) that remain unvested on the effective date; or

 

    A “modified retrospective” method which includes the requirements of the modified prospective method described above, but also permits entities to restate based on the amounts previously recognized under Statement 123 for purposes of proforma disclosures for either (a) all prior periods presented or (b) prior interim periods of the year of adoption.

 

The Company will adopt the provisions of Statement 123(R) on January 1, 2006, using the modified prospective method. Unvested stock-based awards issued prior to May 14, 2004 and disclosed in the financial statements using the minimum value method (rather than the estimated fair value using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model) will be accounted for at the date of adoption using the intrinsic value method originally applied to those awards. Awards issued after May 14, 2004 and through December 31, 2005 that have not vested will be accounted for at the date of adoption using the same estimate of the grant-date fair value disclosed in the historical financial statements.

 

As permitted by Statement 123, the Company currently accounts for share-based payments to employees using the intrinsic value method and, as such, recognizes no compensation cost when employee stock options are granted with exercise prices equal to the market price of the shares on the date of grant. Accordingly, the adoption of Statement 123(R)’s fair value method may have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations, although it will have no impact on our financial position. The impact of adoption of Statement 123(R) cannot be predicted at this time because it will depend significantly on levels of share-based payments granted in the future.

 

8


Table of Contents

Educate, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited, continued)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Cash retained as a result of excess tax benefits relating to share-based payments will be presented in the statement of cash flows as financing cash inflows. Previously, the cash retained from excess tax benefits was presented in operating cash flows along with other tax cash flows.

 

2. Acquisitions

 

On February 8, 2005, the Company acquired all the common stock of Gateway Learning Corporation (“HOP”), the owner of the branded “Hooked on Phonics” early reading, math and study skills programs. The results of operations of HOP are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of income beginning February 1, 2005.

 

The initial purchase price totaled approximately $11,210 including acquisition costs of $1,193. The Company also extinguished $2,982 of acquired debt at closing. Contingent consideration may be payable to the seller based upon future direct response television advertising spending related to the HOP business during the eighteen-month period beginning in August 2005 and ending in February 2007. No amounts are payable nor are amounts expected to be paid under the contingent consideration provisions of the purchase agreement.

 

The final purchase price allocation is pending determination of the valuation of the intangible assets acquired. The purchase price was preliminarily allocated to acquired assets totaling $19,502, including identifiable amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets of $784 and $8,629 respectively, and liabilities of $8,292.

 

During the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, the Company purchased 52 Sylvan Learning Center franchised territories comprising 68 centers. The combined purchase price of these territories included cash paid of $25,513, acquisition costs of $240 and the assumption of liabilities of $13,455, which consisted primarily of obligations to provide services to customers.

 

The following unaudited consolidated pro forma results of operations of the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 give effect to the acquisitions of the 52 Sylvan Learning Center territories and HOP as if the acquisitions had occurred on January 1 of the respective year:

 

    

Three months ended

September 30,


  

Nine months ended

September 30,


     2005

   2004

   2005

   2004

Revenues

   $ 80,471    $ 73,346    $ 296,942    $ 265,205

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     4,349      5,808      33,012      15,171

Net income

     2,696      1,136      20,467      5,219

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.06    $ 0.03    $ 0.46    $ 0.14

 

3. Goodwill

 

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period from December 31, 2004 through September 30, 2005 are summarized as follows:

 

     Learning
Center


    Catapult
Learning


   Total

 

Goodwill at December 31, 2004

   $ 59,559     $ 9,551    $ 69,110  

Acquisition of franchisee-owned learning centers

     37,194       —        37,194  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (1,638 )     —        (1,638 )
    


 

  


Goodwill at September 30, 2005

   $ 95,115     $ 9,551    $ 104,666  
    


 

  


 

9


Table of Contents

Educate, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited, continued)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

4. Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill

 

A summary of other intangible assets at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 is as follows:

 

     September 30, 2005

     Useful Life
In Years


   Gross
Carrying
Amount


   Accumulated
Amortization


   Net
Carrying
Amount


Intangible assets subject to amortization:

                         

Acquired backlog (Learning Center Segment)

   0.5    $ 115    $ 115    $ —  

Contract rights (Catapult Learning Segment)

   5      1,084      485      599

Schülerhilfe franchise license rights (Learning Center Segment)

   25      3,544      417      3,127

Customer list (Learning Center Segment)

   1      130      90      40

Internally developed software (Learning Center Segment)

   5-7      7,362      309      7,053
         

  

  

Total intangible assets subject to amortization

          12,235      1,416      10,819

Indefinite-lived intangible assets not subject to amortization:

                         

Tradenames

   N/A      139,974      —        139,974

Learning Center franchise license rights

   N/A      82,000      —        82,000
         

  

  

Total indefinite-lived intangible assets

          221,974      —        221,974
         

  

  

Total intangible assets excluding goodwill

        $ 234,209    $ 1,416    $ 232,793
         

  

  

     December 31, 2004

     Useful Life
In Years


   Gross
Carrying
Amount


   Accumulated
Amortization


   Net
Carrying
Amount


Intangible assets subject to amortization:

                         

Acquired backlog (Learning Center Segment)

   0.5    $ 115    $ 115    $ —  

Contract rights (Catapult Learning Segment)

   5      1,084      323      761

Schülerhilfe franchise license rights (Learning Center Segment)

   25      4,000      240      3,760

Internally developed software (Learning Center Segment)

   5-7      3,699      —        3,699
         

  

  

Total intangible assets subject to amortization

          8,898      678      8,220

Indefinite-lived intangible assets not subject to amortization:

                         

Tradenames

   N/A      132,425      —        132,425

Learning Center franchise license rights

   N/A      82,000      —        82,000
         

  

  

Total indefinite-lived intangible assets

          214,425      —        214,425
         

  

  

Total intangible assets excluding goodwill

        $ 223,323    $ 678    $ 222,645
         

  

  

 

Estimated future amortization expense of intangible assets subject to amortization at September 30, 2005 is as follows:

 

Year ending December 31,

      

2005

   $ 869

2006

     2,197

2007

     1,909

2008

     1,671

2009

     1,481

Thereafter

     2,692
    

Total

   $ 10,819
    

 

10


Table of Contents

Educate, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited, continued)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

5. Long-Term Debt

 

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

     September 30,
2005


    December 31,
2004


 

Senior term loan payable to a bank (“2004 Term Loan”) in quarterly installments through March 2011. The loan bears interest at the bank’s prime rate or the Eurodollar rate, plus specified margins, as elected by the Company (aggregating to 4.475% per annum at December 31, 2004)

   $ —       $ 118,851  

Senior term loan payable to a bank (“2005 Term Loan”) in quarterly installments through March 2012. The loan bears interest at the bank’s prime rate or the Eurodollar rate, plus specified margins, as elected by the Company (aggregating to 5.49% per annum at September 30, 2005)

     139,300       —    

Note payable, due in semi-annual installments through June 30, 2009. The note does not bear interest, and is recorded net of a discount of $281 at September 30, 2005 and $348 at December 31, 2004

     1,656       1,831  

Various notes payable bearing interest at fixed rates ranging from 5.00% to 8.00% per annum

     2,485       1,831  
    


 


       143,441       122,513  

Less: current portion of long-term debt

     (2,546 )     (2,102 )
    


 


Total long-term debt

   $ 140,895     $ 120,411  
    


 


 

In order to manage interest rate exposure and to comply with certain covenants of the Company’s credit agreement, the Company has entered into three interest rate swap agreements. A notional amount of $40,000 in variable rate debt has been swapped to a counter party in exchange for a fixed interest rate commitment of 2.58% per annum. A second agreement with a notional amount of $10,000 in variable rate debt has been swapped to a counter party in exchange for a fixed interest rate commitment of 3.44% per annum. These agreements will terminate on July 1, 2006. A third agreement effective from July 1, 2006 through May 1, 2007 with a notional amount of $50,000 in variable rate debt has been swapped to a counter party in exchange for a fixed interest rate commitment of 4.03% per annum. Interest paid under these agreements is recorded as interest expense in the period in which it is incurred.

 

On April 28, 2005, one of the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2005 Term Loan”) with a bank syndicate, replacing the existing 2004 Term Loan facility. The 2005 Term Loan increased the term loan facility to $140 million, lowered the interest rate spread over a variable rate, extended the maturities, and provided for increased flexibility in certain other terms and conditions of the term loan facility. No amendments were made to the agreement concerning the revolving credit facility.

 

At the Company’s election, the modified term loan will bear interest at the base rate or Eurodollar rate plus a margin, currently at 200 basis points. Pursuant to the 2005 Term Loan, quarterly principal payments based upon a 100-year amortization schedule are due until the seventh year, when the remaining balance is due. The obligations under the 2005 Term Loan are guaranteed by the Company and certain direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company. These obligations are secured by a senior interest in substantially all of the assets of certain of the consolidated subsidiaries of the Company.

 

The 2005 Term Loan includes customary covenants for transactions of this type, including covenants limiting liens on assets of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, certain asset sales, payment of dividends, incurrence of additional indebtedness, and mergers or fundamental business changes.

 

The 2005 Term Loan constitutes a substantial modification of the terms of the prior agreement in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, the Company wrote-off unamortized deferred financing costs of approximately $1.1 million related to the prior term loan facility and expensed an additional $0.4 million related to the modification during the three-month period ended June 30, 2005.

 

Of the $30,000 revolving credit facility, $28,845 was available to the Company due to outstanding standby letters of credit totaling $1,155 as of September 30, 2005.

 

6. Income Taxes

 

The Company’s income tax provisions for all periods consist of federal, state, and foreign income taxes. The tax provisions for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 are based on the effective tax rate estimated to be applicable for the full year. Currently, the effective tax rate for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2005 is expected to be 38%. Due to potential changes in the mix of earnings between tax jurisdictions, the Company’s consolidated effective tax rate may fluctuate during

 

11


Table of Contents

Educate, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited, continued)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

2005. During the quarter ended September 30, 2004 the Company’s effective tax rate was increased from 38% for the first two quarters of the year to 64% in order to arrive at the full year tax rate of 48% for 2004. The increase in the full year effective tax rate in 2004 was primarily due to the recording of stock compensation expense in 2004 that resulted in a permanently lower income tax deduction compared to the related compensation expense recorded for financial statement purposes. The effect of this change in estimate was to reduce income from continuing operations and net income in the three-month period ended September 30, 2004 by approximately $900, or $0.02 per diluted common share.

 

7. Stockholders’ Equity

 

Changes in the Company’s stockholders’ equity during the period December 31, 2004 through September 30, 2005 are summarized as follows:

 

     Common
Stock


   Additional
Paid-in
Capital


   Retained
Earnings


   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income


    Total
Stockholders’
Equity


 

Balance at December 31, 2004

   $ 426    $ 191,002    $ 2,807    $ 3,466     $ 197,701  

Options exercised for purchase of 122,117 shares of common stock (including income tax benefit of $493)

     1      968      —        —         969  

Non-cash stock compensation expense

     —        348      —        —         348  

Comprehensive income:

                                     

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2005

     —        —        20,138      —         20,138  

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                                     

Change in fair value of derivative financial instrument

     —        —        —        386       386  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     —        —        —        (3,566 )     (3,566 )
    

  

  

  


 


Balance at September 30, 2005

   $ 427    $ 192,318    $ 22,945    $ 286     $ 215,976  
    

  

  

  


 


 

8. Comprehensive Income

 

The components of comprehensive income, net of related taxes, are as follows:

 

    

Three months ended

September 30,


   

Nine months ended

September 30,


     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

Net income

   $ 2,667     $ 903     $ 20,138     $ 4,508

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax (benefit) of $(123) and $(364) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively

     (772 )     487       (3,566 )     142

Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments, net of tax of $128 and $237 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, and tax (benefit) of $(78) and $91 for the same periods in 2004, respectively

     208       (125 )     386       149
    


 


 


 

Comprehensive income

   $ 2,103     $ 1,265     $ 16,958     $ 4,799
    


 


 


 

 

12


Table of Contents

Educate, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited, continued)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

9. Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share include the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.

 

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators for basic and diluted earnings per common share is as follows:

 

    

Three months ended

September 30,


   

Nine months ended

September 30,


 
     2005

   2004

    2005

   2004

 

Numerator

                              

Income from continuing operations

   $ 2,667    $ 1,937     $ 20,138    $ 7,263  

Loss from discontinued operations

     —        (1,034 )     —        (2,755 )
    

  


 

  


Net income

   $ 2,667    $ 903     $ 20,138    $ 4,508  
    

  


 

  


Denominator (shares in thousands)

                              

Basic:

                              

Weighted-average shares outstanding

     42,672      37,974       42,619      37,341  
    

  


 

  


Diluted:

                              

Weighted-average shares outstanding

     42,672      37,974       42,619      37,341  

Dilutive effect of stock options

     1,494      1,334       1,448      1,095  
    

  


 

  


Total

     44,166      39,308       44,067      38,436  
    

  


 

  


Earnings per common share—basic

                              

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.06    $ 0.05     $ 0.47    $ 0.19  

Loss from discontinued operations

     —        (0.03 )     —        (0.07 )
    

  


 

  


Net income

   $ 0.06    $ 0.02     $ 0.47    $ 0.12  
    

  


 

  


Earnings per common share—diluted

                              

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.06    $ 0.05     $ 0.46    $ 0.19  

Loss from discontinued operations

     —        (0.03 )     —        (0.07 )
    

  


 

  


Net income

   $ 0.06    $ 0.02     $ 0.46    $ 0.12  
    

  


 

  


 

10. Stock Option Plan

 

During 2003, the Company adopted a stock option plan that provides for the granting of options to purchase up to 4,360,000 shares of common stock to selected employees and directors of the Company. Options to purchase 3,922,800 shares of common stock were granted under this plan. Of this amount, 104,000 shares immediately vested with the remainder vesting ratably over three or four years. Options under this plan expire 10 years after the grant date. Options to purchase 374,000 shares of common stock were granted with an exercise price less than the estimated fair value of the Company’s common stock at the grant date. The Company recorded $348 of compensation expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 for these options vesting during the period.

 

During 2004, the Company adopted a stock option plan that provides for the granting to selected employees and directors of the Company of options to purchase up to 700,000 shares of common stock plus an annual increase to be added automatically on the first day of our fiscal year equal to the lesser of (i) 400,000 shares or (ii) one percent of the number of outstanding shares on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year. At December 31, 2004, options to purchase 194,000 shares of common stock had been granted under this plan with a weighted average exercise price of $11.76 per share. Of this amount, 16,000 shares immediately vested with the remainder vesting ratably over four years. Options under this plan expire 10 years after the grant date.

 

On January 1, 2005, the first annual automatic increase resulted in an additional 400,000 shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2004 stock option plan. During the period from January 1, 2005 through September 30, 2005, the Company issued options to purchase 185,200 shares of common stock to employees of the Company with a weighted average exercise price of $13.44 per share. Options will vest ratably over a four-year period.

 

13


Table of Contents

Educate, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited, continued)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

At September 30, 2005, the Company had outstanding options to purchase 3,651,435 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $4.85 per share.

 

11. Employee Benefit Plan

 

The Company sponsors a defined contribution retirement plan under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The provisions of this plan allow for voluntary employee contributions of up to 20% of salary, subject to certain annual limitations. All employees are eligible after meeting certain minimum service requirements.

 

The Company may at its discretion make matching contributions, which are allocated to eligible participants. The Company made a discretionary contribution to this plan of $741 during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005.

 

12. Businesses and Geographic Segment Information

 

The Company is organized on the basis of educational services provided, and segments are business units that offer distinct services. Beginning in 2005, the Company began to manage the operations of its previous Online Learning Services segment within its Learning Center segment, and accordingly now has two operating segments. All segment information has been restated to conform to the new presentation. The segments are managed separately as they have different customer bases and delivery channels. Reportable segments are as follows:

 

    Learning Center segment develops and delivers trusted, personalized tutoring programs and online instruction through a network of franchised and company-owned learning centers located primarily in North America and Europe. The Learning Center segment also develops and sells educational products and services under the recently-acquired Hooked on Phonics brand name.

 

    Catapult Learning segment, formerly Institutional Services, provides tutoring, online instruction, other supplemental education services and special-needs services to public and private schools.

 

The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on operating income. Any significant intercompany sales or transfers are eliminated.

 

14


Table of Contents

Educate, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited, continued)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

The following tables set forth information on the Company’s reportable segments:

 

Three months ended

September 30, 2005


   Learning
Center


    Catapult
Learning


    Total

 

Revenues

   $ 66,375     $ 12,530     $ 78,905  
    


 


 


Segment profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization

     16,283       (4,027 )     12,256  

Depreciation and amortization

     (1,207 )     (573 )     (1,780 )
    


 


 


Segment profit (loss)

   $ 15,076     $ (4,600 )   $ 10,476  
    


 


 


Segment assets

   $ 371,123     $ 40,636     $ 411,759  

Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets

     4,062       912       4,974  

Three months ended

September 30, 2004


   Learning
Center


    Catapult
Learning


    Total

 

Revenues

   $ 48,611     $ 13,750     $ 62,361  
    


 


 


Segment profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization

     14,448       (1,389 )     13,059  

Depreciation and amortization

     (1,000 )     (599 )     (1,599 )
    


 


 


Segment profit

   $ 13,448     $ (1,988 )   $ 11,460  
    


 


 


Segment assets

   $ 298,977     $ 34,769     $ 333,746  

Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets

     3,218       1,148       4,366  

Nine months ended

September 30, 2005


   Learning
Center


    Catapult
Learning


    Total

 

Revenues

   $ 189,844     $ 90,368     $ 280,212  
    


 


 


Segment profit before depreciation and amortization

     48,870       7,555       56,425  

Depreciation and amortization

     (3,471 )     (1,534 )     (5,005 )
    


 


 


Segment profit

   $ 45,399     $ 6,021     $ 51,420  
    


 


 


Segment assets

   $ 371,123     $ 40,636     $ 411,759  

Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets

     14,404       3,109       17,513  

Nine months ended

September 30, 2004


   Learning
Center


    Catapult
Learning


    Total

 

Revenues

   $ 141,912     $ 89,895     $ 231,807  
    


 


 


Segment profit before depreciation and amortization

     40,586       10,079       50,665  

Depreciation and amortization

     (2,825 )     (1,635 )     (4,460 )
    


 


 


Segment profit

   $ 37,761     $ 8,444     $ 46,205  
    


 


 


Segment assets

   $ 298,977     $ 34,769     $ 333,746  

Total expenditures for additions to long-lived assets

     10,047       2,748       12,795  

 

15


Table of Contents

Educate, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited, continued)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

The following tables reconcile the reported information on segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes reported in the consolidated statements of income:

 

     Three months ended
September 30,


    Nine months ended
September 30,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 

Segment profit

   $ 10,476     $ 11,460     $ 51,420     $ 46,205  

Corporate depreciation and amortization

     (405 )     (427 )     (1,216 )     (1,210 )

General and administrative costs

     (3,796 )     (3,133 )     (10,413 )     (9,516 )

Non-cash stock compensation expense

     (51 )     (303 )     (348 )     (8,704 )

Other expense

     (1,922 )     (2,164 )     (6,962 )     (12,752 )
    


 


 


 


Income from continuing operations before income taxes

   $ 4,302     $ 5,433     $ 32,481     $ 14,023  
    


 


 


 


 

Revenues by geographic area are as follows:

 

     Three months ended
September 30,


   Nine months ended
September 30,


     2005

   2004

   2005

   2004

United States

   $ 70,999    $ 55,835    $ 254,069    $ 210,182

Other

     7,906      6,526      26,143      21,625
    

  

  

  

Consolidated total

   $ 78,905    $ 62,361    $ 280,212    $ 231,807
    

  

  

  

 

Revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of the customer. No country other than the United States represents more than 10% of consolidated revenues. Substantially all long-lived assets are located in the United States.

 

13. Subsequent Events

 

On October 27, 2005, the Company announced its intention to sell its Education Station business, which delivers site-based No Child Left Behind services to public schools. The sale of Education Station is expected to realize value from the Company’s development efforts while also allowing management to focus attention on the opportunities available in the Learning Center and remaining Catapult Learning businesses. Existing Education Station contracts will be served and the Company anticipates the completion of the sale within the next year. The Company is currently identifying interested buyers, and does not expect to incur a loss upon the sale of Education Station.

 

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment and Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, we anticipate reporting the operations of Educations Station as discontinued operations for all periods beginning in the fourth quarter of 2005. In addition, the net asset group of Education Station will be classified as assets held for sale beginning in the fourth quarter.

 

Education Station is a component unit within the Catapult Learning operating segment. The major classes of assets and liabilities of Education Station at September 30, 2005 are as follows:

 

Current assets

   $ 6,005

Property and equipment, net

     3,439

Other long-term assets

     92

Current liabilities

     2,778

 

16


Table of Contents

Educate, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited, continued)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

The following unaudited consolidated pro forma results of operations of the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 give effect to the disposal of Education Station as if it had occurred on January 1 of the respective year:

 

    

Three months ended

September 30,


  

Nine months ended

September 30,


     2005

   2004

   2005

   2004

Revenues

   $ 78,540    $ 61,953    $ 253,770    $ 210,347

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     7,594      7,438      36,474      17,011

Net income

     4,708      2,146      22,614      6,360

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.11    $ 0.05    $ 0.51    $ 0.17

 

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Educate, Inc.

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes to those statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the consolidated financial statements and related notes to those statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

The statements contained herein include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed results of operations, business strategies, financing plans, competitive position and potential growth opportunities. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and are generally accompanied by words such as “may,” “will,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “should” or similar expressions or the negative of such words or expressions. These statements also relate to the Company’s contingent payment obligations relating to acquisitions, future capital requirements, potential acquisitions and the Company’s future development plans and are based on current expectations. Forward-looking statements involve various risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company’s actual results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements.

 

Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors. The following factors are some of the factors that might cause such a difference: the development and expansion of the Sylvan Learning Center franchise system; changes in the relationships among Sylvan Learning Center and its franchisees; the Company’s ability to effectively manage business growth; changes in the Company’s ability to effectively integrate recently acquired companies; increased competition from other educational service providers; changes in laws and government policies and programs; changes in the acceptance of the Company’s services by institutional customers and consumers; changes in customer relationships; the seasonality of operating results; global economic conditions, including interest and currency rate fluctuations; and inflation rates. Additional information regarding these and other risk factors and uncertainties are set forth from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available for viewing on the Company’s website www.educate-inc.com. These forward-looking statements are based on estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions of management and speak only as of the date made and are not guarantees of future performance. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities law.

 

Overview

 

We are a leading provider of tutoring and other supplemental education services to pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, or pre-K-12, students. We operate through two business segments that served more than 320,000 students in 2004.

 

Our Learning Center segment develops and delivers trusted diagnostic, prescriptive tutoring programs primarily through a network of franchised and company-owned learning centers located primarily in North America operating under the Sylvan brand name. The Learning Center segment also develops and sells educational programs and services under the recently-acquired Hooked on Phonics brand name. Sylvan and Hooked on Phonics are two of the most highly recognized brand names in the supplemental education services industry.

 

Our Catapult Learning segment, formerly referred to as Institutional Services, provides tutoring, as well as other supplemental education services and special needs services, to eligible students in public and private schools through government-funded contracts under the Catapult Learning and other brand names.

 

We have experienced significant growth over the last five years. Parents have become more proactive in seeking education services that supplement their children’s education and are increasingly willing to pay for these services largely due to the increase in economic value of a college degree relative to a high school diploma. Combined with our strategies of acquiring and integrating franchised centers into our operations and expanding our product and service offerings, the economic factors have resulted in significant growth in our Learning Center segment.

 

As disclosed in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in the fourth quarter of calendar 2005, we announced our intention to sell our Education Station business unit. Education Station provides site-based supplemental services to students under the No Child Left Behind Act. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, we anticipate reporting the operations of

 

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Education Station as discontinued operations for all periods presented beginning in the fourth quarter of 2005. In addition, the net asset group of Education Station will be classified as assets held for sale beginning in the fourth quarter. Note 13 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q provides additional information on the planned sale.

 

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Seasonality and Other Quarterly Fluctuations

 

The following table sets forth selected information related to seasonality and other quarterly fluctuations:

 

     2005

   2004

(Dollars in millions)


   First
Quarter


   Second
Quarter


   Third
Quarter


   First
Quarter


   Second
Quarter


   Third
Quarter


  

Fourth

Quarter


Revenues:

                                                

Learning Center

   $ 56.8    $ 66.7    $ 66.4    $ 43.4    $ 49.9    $ 48.6    $ 39.3

Catapult Learning

     41.5      36.4      12.5      38.8      37.4      13.8      29.1
    

  

  

  

  

  

  

Total revenues

   $ 98.3    $ 103.1    $ 78.9    $ 82.2    $ 87.3    $ 62.4    $ 68.4

Percentage of annual revenues

     N/A      N/A      N/A      27%      29%      21%      23%

Operating income

   $ 13.8    $ 19.5    $ 6.2    $ 11.0    $ 8.1    $ 7.6    $ 4.6

Income from continuing operations

   $ 7.5    $ 16.1    $ 4.3    $ 4.9    $ 0.5    $ 1.9    $ 1.9

 

Like other companies that provide tutoring and other supplemental education services, we are subject to seasonality in our revenue streams that can affect our results of operations. This seasonality arises from a number of factors, primarily driven by the timing of school semester cycles. Our quarterly results also have been affected by our license agreements with franchisees that require the payment of royalties to us based on a percentage of their cash receipts, a significant portion of which consist of prepayments by customers for services to be provided by our franchisees more than a month in the future.

 

First Quarter. In our Learning Center segment, we experience increased enrollments as a result of the initiation of advertising and increased parental focus on their children’s performance associated with the receipt of academic results from the first part of the school year. Our royalties increase as our franchisees begin to receive advance payment for services to be provided during the summer. In our Catapult Learning segment, we deliver services under NCLB and other programs during this quarter.

 

Second Quarter. In our Learning Center segment, we experience a higher level of revenues as we benefit from our continued investment in advertising, delivery of services in our company-owned territories and increased receipts of franchise royalties due to prepayment for summer programs. In our Catapult Learning segment, we complete delivery of our NCLB and other institutional services in conjunction with the ending of the school year.

 

Third Quarter. The third quarter marks the peak delivery of services in our Learning Center segment. We recognize revenue as we deliver these services in our company-owned territories. However, with respect to our franchised territories, our royalties decline as the cash receipts our franchisees receive from their customers decline from peak second quarter levels. Due to summer vacation, we provide limited services in our Catapult Learning segment during this period, which results in the lowest segment revenue for the year. However, we gain significant visibility for the upcoming year because the majority of our institutional contracts are renewed during the third quarter.

 

Fourth Quarter. In our Learning Center segment, enrollments are at their lowest levels of the year as a result of lower advertising expenditures, students taking a greater number of vacations during the holiday season and parental optimism towards their children’s improved school performance associated with the beginning of a new school year. In addition, we experience lower revenues from franchise royalties in the fourth quarter as a result of prepayments by our franchisees’ customers in earlier quarters. The period reflects increased revenues in Catapult Learning as schools are back in session and certain NCLB programs begin. We incur significant start-up costs in connection with preparation of our NCLB programs during the fourth quarter.

 

Other. The timing of school year services, advertising spending and critical enrollment periods can affect our revenues at any time during the year.

 

As a result of the foregoing factors, we believe that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our results of operations may not be a fair indicator and should not be relied upon as a measure of our future performance.

 

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Results of Operations

 

Comparison of results for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004.

 

    

Three months ended

September 30,


    
     2005

   2004

   % Increase
(Decrease)


     (Dollars in millions)     

Revenues

                  

Learning Center:

                  

Franchise services-North American

   $ 10.5    $ 10.5    —  

Company-owned centers-North American

     49.0      32.0    53%

European

     6.9      6.1    13%
    

  

  
       66.4      48.6    37%

Catapult Learning:

                  

School services and special needs

     12.0      13.3    (10)%

NCLB

     0.5      0.5    —  
    

  

  
       12.5      13.8    (9)%
    

  

  

Total

   $ 78.9    $ 62.4    26%
    

  

  

Business Metrics

                  

Sylvan Learning same territory revenue growth: (1)

     1%      2%     

Number of Sylvan Learning Territories (2):

                  

Franchisee-owned

     723      744    (3)%

Company-owned

     163      96    70%
    

  

  

Total

     886      840    5%
    

  

  

Number of Sylvan Learning Centers (3):

                  

Franchisee-owned

     877      896    (2)%

Company-owned

     234      149    57%
    

  

  

Total

     1,111      1,045    6%
    

  

  

(1) “Same Territory” amounts include the results of territories for the identical months for each period presented in the comparison, commencing with the 13th full month each territory has been operating. Same territory growth is presented as the aggregate Educate revenue growth for franchise royalties and company-owned territory revenues during the period. A territory reflects the geographically specified area where an operator has the right to provide products and services under a Sylvan franchise agreement. Same territory amounts include revenue from additional centers opened in existing territories.
(2) Number of Sylvan Learning territories at period end.
(3) Number of Sylvan Learning centers at period end.

 

Revenues. The increase in revenue during the quarter ended September 30, 2005 of $16.5 million compared to the same period of the prior year was due to growth in the Learning Center segment of $17.8 million, partially offset by a decline of $1.3 million in the Catapult Learning segment. The acquisitions of Sylvan Learning Centers from franchisees as well as the acquisition of the Hooked on Phonics line of educational programs and growth in revenue of existing company-owned centers accounted for $17.0 million of the increase in the Learning Center segment. European revenues increased $0.8 million. Franchise services revenues remained stable at $10.5 million. In the Catapult Learning segment, NCLB services revenues remained stable at $0.5 million and the school services and special needs businesses revenues decreased $1.3 million compared to the same period of 2004.

 

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Learning Center—Revenues from company-owned territories increased approximately $17.0 million primarily as a result of the acquisition of 67 franchised territories since September 30, 2004 and the inclusion of revenues from Hooked on Phonics programs and services, which we acquired during the first quarter of 2005. Additionally, our combined same territory revenue growth was 1% during the quarter ended September 30, 2005.

 

Despite the decrease in the number of franchisee-owned territories, which is a result of our acquisitions since September 30, 2004 exceeding new franchise territory openings, franchise services revenues remained stable at $10.5 million, primarily as a result of same territory royalty growth and increased educational program sales to franchisees during the quarter.

 

European revenues, which include both company-owned and franchise territory results, increased $0.8 million primarily due to increased enrollment. Foreign currency exchange rate movements had minimal impact on revenues.

 

Revenues for the Learning Center segment represented 84% of our total revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2005.

 

Catapult Learning—Our school services and special needs revenues decreased $1.3 million in this seasonally slow period due primarily to certain one-time summer school programs that were served in the prior year. NCLB revenues remained stable at $0.5 million in both the current and prior year quarters as NCLB services begin for the new school year in September. Revenues for the Catapult Learning segment accounted for 16% of our total revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2005.

 

    

Three months ended

September 30,


    
     2005

   2004

   % Increase
(Decrease)


     (Dollars in millions)     

Segment Operating Costs

                  

Learning Center

   $ 51.3    $ 35.1    46%

Catapult Learning

     17.1      15.8    8%
    

  

  

Total Segment Operating Costs

   $ 68.4    $ 50.9    34%

Segment Profit (Loss)

                  

Learning Center

   $ 15.1    $ 13.5    12%

Catapult Learning

     (4.6)      (2.0)    (130)%
    

  

  

Total Segment Profit

   $ 10.5    $ 11.5    (9)%

Corporate Expenses

                  

Corporate depreciation and amortization expenses

   $ 0.4    $ 0.4    —  

General and administrative expenses

     3.8      3.2    19%

Non-cash stock compensation expense

     0.1      0.3    (67)%

Interest expense, net

     2.0      2.1    (5)%

Other financing costs

     —        0.3    (100)%

Foreign exchange (gains) and other

     (0.1)      (0.2)    (50)%

Income tax expense

     1.6      3.5    (54)%
    

  

  

Total Corporate Expenses

     7.8      9.6    (19)%
    

  

  

Income from continuing operations

   $ 2.7    $ 1.9    42%
    

  

  

Business Metrics

                  

Segment Operating Margin (1)

                  

Learning Center

     23%      28%     

Catapult Learning

     (37)%      (14)%     

(1) Segment operating margin is calculated by dividing segment profit/(loss) by segment revenue.

 

Segment Operating Costs. Segment operating costs increased primarily due to the expansion of company-owned Learning Center territories and the acquisition of the Hooked on Phonics line of educational programs.

 

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Learning Center—Segment operating costs increased to 77% of operating revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 compared to 72% in the same period of 2004. Segment operating costs increased by $16.2 million in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the third quarter of 2004 primarily as a result of the additional costs associated with operating and integrating the 67 company-owned territories acquired since September 30, 2004. These costs consist primarily of instructional and advertising costs. Segment costs also increased due to the acquisition of the Hooked on Phonics line of educational programs and the launch of online tutorial services to customers through the Learning Center network. During the current period we also increased our investment in the development of new programs to meet market needs for convenient educational services and programs. European expenses related to Schülerhilfe increased by $0.5 million primarily due to higher costs to support revenue growth. Foreign currency exchange rate movements had minimal impact on expenses compared to the same period in the prior year.

 

Catapult Learning—Costs increased by $1.3 million, or 8% in the current quarter compared to the third quarter of 2004 primarily due to spending targeted toward increasing student enrollment in Catapult Online, which delivers NCLB instruction to a student’s home via a live, online environment, as well as costs associated with enrolling students in our site-based NCLB business, Education Station.

 

Segment Operating Margin. Learning Center segment operating margins decreased in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 to 23% compared to 28% for the prior year. The decreased margin is primarily related to additional costs associated with operating and integrating additional company-owned territories acquired and the related shift in revenue mix from franchise revenues to company-owned territory revenues. This occurs because the operating income from an acquired territory is comparable to the royalty income earned from a franchisee in the year of acquisition although the revenue recorded increases substantially. The margin decline is also due to the increased investment in program development costs intended to increase future revenues. Catapult Learning segment operating margins were (37)% for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, down 23% from the prior year at (14)%. This margin decline is due to the incurrence of an increased amount of start-up costs associated with the upcoming school year’s expanded Catapult Online and site-based NCLB offerings as well as the loss of certain summer school programs served in the prior year. Margins were also negatively impacted by Hurricane Katrina through the closing of numerous schools in New Orleans and Alabama where Catapult had been scheduled to provide services.

 

Corporate Expenses. Corporate general and administrative and depreciation and amortization expenses were $4.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and $3.6 million during the same period of 2004, but declined slightly as a percentage of revenue from 5.8% in the third quarter of 2004 to 5.3% in the third quarter of 2005. The increase in the amount of these expenses is in response to needs to support the expanding business and to operate as a public company. Non-cash stock compensation expense decreased by $0.2 million during the third quarter of 2005 compared to the third quarter of 2004. In 2004 we issued restricted common stock and granted vested options to employees and directors to purchase common stock at prices less than the estimated fair value of our common stock. Net interest expense decreased by $0.1 million primarily as a result of the repayment in September 2004 of a portion of our term loan facility with the proceeds from our initial public offering, offset partially by an increase in short-term interest rates under the facility. Other financing costs decreased $0.3 million due to a nonrecurring terminated financing transaction in 2004. Our income tax expense decreased to $1.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 from $3.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 due to differences in the effective tax rates between the two periods. Our effective tax rate was 38% for the quarter ended September 30, 2005. During the quarter ended September 30, 2004 our effective tax rate was increased from 38% in the first two quarters of the year to 64% in order to arrive at the full year tax rate of 48% for 2004. The increase in the full year effective tax rate in 2004 was primarily due to the recording of stock compensation expense in 2004 that resulted in a permanently lower income tax deduction compared to the related compensation expense recorded for financial statement purposes.

 

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Comparison of results for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004.

 

    

Nine months ended

September 30,


    
     2005

   2004

   % Increase
(Decrease)


     (Dollars in millions)     

Revenues

                  

Learning Center:

                  

Franchise services-North American

   $ 37.3    $ 34.9    7%

Company-owned centers-North American

     129.3      86.6    49%

European

     23.2      20.4    14%
    

  

  
       189.8      141.9    34%

Catapult Learning:

                  

School services and special needs

     62.3      68.1    (9)%

NCLB

     28.1      21.8    29%
    

  

  
       90.4      89.9    1%
    

  

  

Total

   $ 280.2    $ 231.8    21%
    

  

  

Business Metrics

                  

Sylvan Learning same territory revenue growth: (1)

     3%      3%     

Number of Sylvan Learning Territories (2):

                  

Franchisee-owned

     723      744    (3)%

Company-owned

     163      96    70%
    

  

  

Total

     886      840    5%
    

  

  

Number of Sylvan Learning Centers (3):

                  

Franchisee-owned

     877      896    (2)%

Company-owned

     234      149    57%
    

  

  

Total

     1,111      1,045    6%
    

  

  

(1) “Same Territory” amounts include the results of territories for the identical months for each period presented in the comparison, commencing with the 13th full month each territory has been operating. Same territory growth is presented as the aggregate Educate revenue growth for franchise royalties and company-owned territory revenues during the period. A territory reflects the geographically specified area where an operator has the right to provide products and services under a Sylvan franchise agreement. Same territory amounts include revenue from additional centers opened in existing territories.
(2) Number of Sylvan Learning territories at period end.
(3) Number of Sylvan Learning centers at period end.

 

Revenues. The increase in revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 of $48.4 million compared to the same period of the prior year was due to growth in the Learning Center segment of $47.9 million and growth in the Catapult Learning segment of $0.5 million. The acquisitions of Sylvan Learning Centers from franchisees as well as the acquisition of the Hooked on Phonics line of educational programs and growth in revenue of existing company-owned centers accounted for $42.7 million of the increase in the Learning Center segment. European revenues increased $2.8 million and franchise services revenues grew by $2.4 million compared to the same period of 2004. In the Catapult Learning segment, NCLB services revenues increased 29%, or $6.3 million, partially offset by decreases in revenues of the school services and special needs businesses of $5.8 million compared to the same period of 2004.

 

Learning Center—Revenues from company-owned territories increased approximately $42.7 million primarily as a result of the acquisition of 67 franchised territories since September 30, 2004 and the inclusion of revenues from Hooked on Phonics programs and services, which we acquired during the first quarter of 2005. In addition, our combined same territory revenue growth increased 3% in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to the same period of 2004.

 

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Despite the decrease in the number of franchisee-owned territories, which is a result of our acquisitions since September 30, 2004 exceeding new franchise territory openings, franchise services revenues increased $2.4 million primarily as a result of same territory royalty growth and increased educational program sales to franchisees during the most recent nine-month period.

 

European revenues, which include both company-owned territory and franchise results, increased $2.8 million, of which $2.1 million was due to increased enrollment and $0.7 million was a benefit from a favorable foreign currency exchange environment relative to the prior year.

 

Revenues for the Learning Center segment represented 68% of our total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

 

Catapult Learning—NCLB revenues increased $6.3 million primarily as a result of an increase in the number of contracts and students served in our NCLB supplemental service program compared to the prior year. Our school services and special needs revenues decreased $5.8 million due to the expiration and planned non-renewal of several non-strategic contracts, reduced staffing availability of speech therapists in the current school year, and due to the non-funding of certain one-time summer school programs that were served in the prior year. Revenues for the Catapult Learning segment accounted for 32% of our total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

 

    

Nine months ended

September 30,


    
     2005

   2004

   % Increase
(Decrease)


     (Dollars in millions)     

Segment Operating Costs

                  

Learning Center

   $ 144.4    $ 104.1    39%

Catapult Learning

     84.4      81.5    4%
    

  

  

Total Segment Operating Costs

   $ 228.8    $ 185.6    23%

Segment Profit

                  

Learning Center

   $ 45.4    $ 37.8    20%

Catapult Learning

     6.0      8.4    (29)%
    

  

  

Total Segment Profit

   $ 51.4    $ 46.2    11%

Corporate Expenses

                  

Corporate depreciation and amortization expenses

   $ 1.2    $ 1.2   

General and administrative expenses

     10.4      9.5    9%

Non-cash stock compensation expense

     0.3      8.7    (97)%

Interest expense, net

     5.7      8.0    (29)%

Other financing costs

     1.5      5.1    (71)%

Foreign exchange (gains) and other

     (0.1)      (0.4)    (75)%

Income tax expense

     12.3      6.8    81%
    

  

  

Total Corporate Expenses

     31.3      38.9    (20)%
    

  

  

Income from continuing operations

   $ 20.1    $ 7.3    175%
    

  

  

Business Metrics

                  

Segment Profit Margin (1)

                  

Learning Center

     24%      27%     

Catapult Learning

     7%      9%     

(1) Segment profit margin is calculated by dividing segment profit by segment revenue.

 

Segment Operating Costs. Segment operating costs increased primarily due to the expansion of company-owned Learning Center territories and the acquisition of the Hooked on Phonics line of educational programs.

 

Learning Center—Segment operating costs increased to 76% of segment revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to 73% in the same period of 2004. Segment operating costs increased by $40.3 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 primarily as a result of the additional costs associated with operating and integrating the 67 company-owned territories acquired since September 30, 2004. These costs consist primarily of instructional and advertising costs. Segment costs also increased due to the acquisition of the Hooked on Phonics line of educational programs and the launch of online tutorial services to customers through the Learning Center network. Current period segment costs also increased due

 

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to an increased investment in the development of new programs to meet market needs for convenient educational services and programs. European expenses related to Schülerhilfe increased by $2.1 million, related to $1.6 million in higher costs to support revenue growth and an unfavorable impact of $0.5 million from foreign currency exchange rate movements.

 

Catapult Learning—Costs increased by $2.9 million, or 4% in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004 primarily due to spending targeted toward increasing student enrollment in Catapult Online, which delivers NCLB instruction to a student’s home via a live, online environment, as well as costs associated with enrolling students in our site-based NCLB business, Education Station.

 

Segment Profit Margin. Learning Center segment profit margins decreased in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 to 24% compared to the prior year period at 27%. The decreased margin is primarily related to additional costs associated with operating and integrating additional company-owned territories acquired and the related shift in revenue mix from franchise revenues to company-owned territory revenues. This occurs because the operating income from an acquired territory is comparable to the royalty income earned from a franchisee in the year of acquisition although the revenue recorded increases substantially. The margin decline is also due to the increased investment in program development costs intended to increase future revenues. Catapult Learning segment profit margins were 7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to 9% in the same period of 2004. This margin decline is due to the incurrence of an increased amount of start-up costs associated with the upcoming school year’s expanded Catapult Online and site-based NCLB offerings as well as the loss of certain summer school programs served in the prior year. Margins were also negatively impacted by Hurricane Katrina through the closing of numerous schools in New Orleans and Alabama where Catapult had been scheduled to provide services.

 

Corporate Expenses. Corporate general and administrative and depreciation and amortization expenses were $11.6 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005 and $10.7 million during the same period of 2004, but declined as a percentage of revenue from 4.6% in the first nine months of 2004 to 4.1% in the same period of 2005. The increase in the amount of these expenses is in response to needs to support the expanding business and to operate as a public company. Non-cash stock compensation expense decreased by $8.4 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005 compared to the same period of 2004, when we issued restricted common stock and granted vested options to employees and directors to purchase common stock at prices less than the estimated fair value of our common stock, which resulted in a significant one-time stock compensation charge and smaller expense recorded over the vesting period for the remaining award. Net interest expense decreased by $2.3 million primarily as a result of the repayment in September 2004 of a portion of our term loan facility with the proceeds from our initial public offering, offset partially by an increase in short-term interest rates under the facility. Other financing costs were $1.5 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005 compared to $5.1 million in the same period of 2004. Both periods included the write-off of deferred financing costs. The 2005 period included $1.5 million of expense related to the substantial modification of our term debt facility. The 2004 period included a $4.8 million write-off related to the substantial modification of our prior term debt facility and other financing costs related to a terminated financing transaction in 2004. Our income tax expense increased to $12.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 from $6.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. This was due to an increase in segment profits combined with a decrease in interest and other financing costs, partially offset by a decrease in the effective tax rate compared to 2004. Our effective tax rate was 38% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. During the nine months ended September 30, 2004 our effective tax rate was 48%. The increase in the full year effective tax rate in 2004 was primarily due to the recording of stock compensation expense in 2004 that resulted in a permanently lower income tax deduction compared to the related compensation expense recorded for financial statement purposes.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The following table summarizes major changes in our cash position during the nine-month periods ending:

 

     September 30,
2005


    September 30,
2004


 
     (Dollars in Millions)  

Beginning cash balance

   $ 14.6     $ 20.3  

Operating activities – continuing operations

     31.7       33.4  

Operating activities – discontinued operations

     —         (1.9 )

Investing activities

     (51.1 )     (11.1 )

Financing activities

     18.1       (6.8 )

Effect of exchange rates

     (0.6 )     (0.3 )
    


 


Ending cash balance

   $ 12.7     $ 33.6  
    


 


 

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Historically, we have generated significant cash flows from our operations which have allowed us to meet our working capital needs and fund the cash we require to make investments in property and equipment, open new company-owned Learning Center territories, and acquire franchised territories and other businesses.

 

Our working capital requirements are favorably impacted by the fact that in our largest segment, the Learning Center segment, our operations generate positive working capital even during growth periods. In our Learning Center business, customers must pay in advance of services, which contributes to our cash position. Company-owned territories benefit from customer prepayment and, in connection with franchised territories, we receive royalty payments from franchisees based upon net cash collected in the prior month. Our working capital needs are greater in our Catapult Learning segment because our customers are primarily public school districts that pay us in arrears, often 60 days or longer after we perform our services.

 

For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 and September 30, 2004, our cash flows from continuing operations were $31.7 million and $33.4 million, respectively. The decrease of $1.7 million was attributed primarily to cash used to fund working capital changes, offset by an increase in income from continuing operations before non-cash charges of $7.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to the same period in 2004. The reported income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 included significant non-cash elements such as deferred income taxes of $6.4 million resulting from tax benefits related to tax basis goodwill amortization, as well as depreciation and amortization of $6.2 million. The cash used to fund working capital changes of $8.2 million relative to the same period of 2004 consisted of increased investments in accounts receivable and other current assets of $3.7 million combined with reduced funding from current liabilities of $4.5 million.

 

Our investing activities have historically consisted of investments in property and equipment and acquisitions of franchised territories and other businesses. Our ability to make future acquisitions and investments in property and equipment will be dependent on the cash flows we generate from our operations and our ability to obtain additional capital.

 

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005, we used $9.2 million of cash to acquire Hooked on Phonics net of cash acquired. We invested an additional $25.7 million in Learning Center acquisitions and $14.1 million in property and equipment and internally developed software.

 

As described more fully in the unaudited Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, on April 28, 2005, we amended our term loan facility, increasing the term loans outstanding from $118.6 million at March 31, 2005 to $140.0 million. The revolving credit borrowings of $13.0 million were immediately repaid, and the remaining $8.4 million was available for use in operations, acquisitions or other investments. As a result of the repayment of the borrowings under the revolving credit facility and outstanding standby letters of credit, we had $28.8 million of available credit through that facility as of September 30, 2005.

 

We believe that cash flows from operations, available cash and existing credit facilities will be sufficient to meet our operating requirements, including expansion of our existing business, acquisition of centers, funding of program and software development and operating costs for the next year. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our rate of revenue growth, territory acquisitions and new company-owned center development, the expansion of sales and marketing activities, the timing of introductions of new services and enhancements to existing programs. We expect that we will, from time to time, continue to consider opportunities in the educational services industry for potential acquisitions of companies that complement our overall business strategy.

 

Contingent Matters

 

We have guaranteed certain bank loans of franchisees related to financing the purchase of educational programs and other purchased instructional material. Of the $0.6 million of available credit under this program, $0.1 million was outstanding at September 30, 2005. These guarantees are secured by the assets of the business of the individual franchisee utilizing this financing arrangement.

 

The Company maintains a number of standby letters of credit totaling $1.2 million as of September 30, 2005 to guarantee its insurance program and the potential payment under a franchisee acquisition through 2008.

 

International Exposure

 

Our Learning Center segment has operations outside the United States, primarily in Germany. These international operations subject us to political uncertainties, currency devaluations and national regulations affecting the provision of educational services. Accordingly, our revenues and income in any period may be impacted by international developments outside our control.

 

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Educate, Inc.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue, intangible assets and contingencies. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Our critical accounting policies and estimates are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“Statement 123(R)”), which is a revision of Statement 123. Statement 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their estimated fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative.

 

Statement 123(R) was originally required to be adopted no later than July 1, 2005. On April 14, 2005 the SEC announced that non-small business registrants would not be required to adopt Statement 123(R) until the first fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2005 which effectively extended the adoption deadline for the Company to January 1, 2006. The Company expects to adopt the standard on January 1, 2006. Statement 123(R) permits public companies to adopt its requirements using one of two methods:

 

    A “modified prospective” method in which compensation cost is recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of Statement 123(R) for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of Statement 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of Statement 123(R) that remain unvested on the effective date; or

 

    A “modified retrospective” method which includes the requirements of the modified prospective method described above, but also permits entities to restate based on the amounts previously recognized under Statement 123 for purposes of proforma disclosures for either (a) all prior periods presented or (b) prior interim periods of the year of adoption.

 

The Company will adopt the provisions of Statement 123(R) on January 1, 2006, using the modified prospective method. Unvested stock-based awards issued prior to May 14, 2004 and disclosed in the financial statements using the minimum value method (rather than the estimated fair value using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model) will be accounted for at the date of adoption using the intrinsic value method originally applied to those awards. Awards issued after May 14, 2004 and through December 31, 2005 that have not vested will be accounted for at the date of adoption using the same estimate of the grant-date fair value disclosed in the historical financial statements. See also Note 1, Stock-Based Compensation.

 

As permitted by Statement 123, the Company currently accounts for share-based payments to employees using the intrinsic value method and, as such, recognizes no compensation cost when employee stock options are granted with exercise prices equal to the market price of the shares on the date of grant. Accordingly, the adoption of Statement 123(R)’s fair value method may have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations, although it will have no impact on our financial position. The impact of adoption of Statement 123(R) cannot be predicted at this time because it will depend significantly on levels of share-based payments granted in the future.

 

Cash retained as a result of excess tax benefits relating to share-based payments will be presented in the statement of cash flows as financing cash inflows. Previously, the cash retained from excess tax benefits was presented in operating cash flows along with other tax cash flows.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We are exposed to certain market risks, which exist as part of our ongoing business operations. We use derivative financial instruments, where appropriate, to manage these risks. As a matter of policy, we do not engage in trading or speculative transactions. Refer to Note 1 within Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 for further information on accounting policies related to derivative financial instruments.

 

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Foreign Currency Risk

 

In the third quarter of 2005, approximately 10% of our revenues were derived from customers outside the United States. Most of this business is transacted through international subsidiaries, generally in the local currency that is considered the functional currency of that foreign subsidiary. Expenses are also incurred in the foreign currencies to match revenues earned and minimize the exchange rate exposure of our operating margins. A hypothetical 10% adverse change in average annual foreign currency movements would have decreased both net income and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 by $0.3 million. We are also exposed to fluctuations in the value of foreign currency investments in subsidiaries and cash flows related to repatriation of these investments. We generally view our equity investment in foreign subsidiaries as long-term. The effects of a change in foreign currency exchange rates on our net investment in foreign subsidiaries are reflected in other comprehensive income (loss). A hypothetical 10% average change in depreciation in functional currencies relative to the U.S. dollar would have resulted in a decrease in our net investment in foreign subsidiaries of approximately $2.0 million at September 30, 2005.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

We hold cash and cash equivalents in high quality, short-term, fixed income securities. Consequently, the fair value of our cash and cash equivalents would not be significantly impacted by either a 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates.

 

We are exposed to interest rate volatility with regard to future issuances of fixed rate debt and existing and future issuance of variable rate debt. Primary exposures include movements in U.S. Treasury rates, London Interbank Offered Rates (LIBOR) and commercial paper. We currently have interest rate swaps in place to reduce interest rate volatility associated with our secured credit facility, and to achieve a desired proportion of variable versus fixed rate debt.

 

Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) of Educate, Inc. in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q provides information on our significant indebtedness and our interest rate swap agreements. The total notional amount of interest rate swaps at September 30, 2005 was $50.0 million, representing a settlement asset of $0.9 million. Assuming average variable rate debt levels, a one percentage point increase in interest rates would have increased interest expense by approximately $0.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

 

All the potential impacts noted above are based on sensitivity analysis performed on our financial position at September 30, 2005. Actual results may differ materially.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

The Company’s management, with the participation of our principal executive and principal financial officers, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of September 30, 2005. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act has been appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level.

 

The Company’s management, including the principal executive and principal financial officers, has evaluated any changes in the internal controls over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2005, and has concluded that there was no change that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2005 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

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Educate, Inc.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company is involved in various lawsuits in the ordinary course of business, usually related to employment matters or commercial disputes. The Company maintains liability insurance to cover claims over a deductible amount. In the opinion of management, amounts accrued for exposure relating to legal proceedings are adequate and, accordingly, the ultimate resolution of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS – None

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES - None

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS – None

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION - None

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Index
Number


   
3.1   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Educate, Inc., a Delaware corporation (1)
3.2   Amended and Restated By-laws of Educate, inc., a Delaware corporation (2)
4.1   Form of Registration Rights Agreement, by and among Educate, Inc., and certain of its stockholders (2)
31(i).1   Certification of R. Christopher Hoehn-Saric pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31(i).2   Certification of Kevin Shaffer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1   Certification of R. Christopher Hoehn-Saric pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2   Certification of Kevin Shaffer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(1)   Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on September 22, 2004.
(2)   Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 originally filed on May 14, 2004 and declared effective on September 22, 2004.

 

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SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

 

        Educate, Inc.
    Date: November 14, 2005  

/s/ Kevin E. Shaffer


        Kevin E. Shaffer
        Chief Financial Officer

 

31