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NEW YORK, NEW YORK and TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 30, 2015) - Student outcomes, including whether a student qualifies for post-secondary education or gets a job after graduating, are the most important issues facing the education system today, according to a poll of 300 education industry leaders who attended BMO Capital Markets 15^th Annual Back to School Education conference, which took place in New York earlier this month.

Those polled included a cross-section of individuals representing the industry's leading institutional investors, private equity and venture capital funds.

Seventy per cent of respondents identified student outcomes - or the meeting of particular education standards - as the top concern that needs to be addressed by the education industry today.

"Students are finding they lack the right skills to get into college, and there are college graduates who are not able to get a job once they graduate. That is pushing a focus on outcomes-focused education," said Jeff Silber, an analyst with BMO Capital Markets Research who hosted the Back to School Education Conference.

Nearly half of those responding to the poll (48 per cent) felt that education enrollment over the next five years will grow the most in online or blended education courses, underscoring how far online learning has come since the birth of the Internet.

"Online or blended education is increasingly becoming a mainstay and driver of the education industry," said Mr. Silber. "Whereas before it was often regarded as subpar education, online education is now accepted as a part of any good university's offering."

The poll also found that 38 per cent of respondents expect curriculum products - in areas from modern skills to language comprehension - will see the most adoption of education technology over the next five years.

About BMO Capital Markets

BMO Capital Markets is a leading, full-service North American financial services provider. With more than 2,300 employees operating in 29 locations, including 16 in North America, BMO Capital Markets offers corporate, institutional and government clients access to a complete range of investment and corporate banking products and services. BMO Capital Markets is a member of BMO Financial Group (NYSE:BMO)(TSX:BMO), one of the largest diversified financial services providers in North America, with total assets of CDN$672 billion as of July 31, 2015, and more than 47,000 employees.

To view a copy of the research report on the Back to School Education Conference and poll, or to request an interview with Jeff Silber, please contact:

Media Contacts:

Harris Rubinroit, New York, harris.rubinroit@bmo.com, (212) 702-1992

Pav Jordan, Toronto, Pav.Jordan@bmo.com, (416) 867-3996

Internet: www.bmo.com