STECK VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORP
10-Q, 1996-05-14
BOOKS: PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING & PRINTING
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<PAGE>   1

                     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      MARCH 31, 1996
                                   ------------------------

                                     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   0-21730    
                                        -------------

                     STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)



<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               DELAWARE                                                    I.R.S. NO. 33-0556929       
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)             (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)


                        8701 NO. MOPAC EXPRESSWAY, SUITE 200, AUSTIN, TEXAS  78759-8364                        
- - - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                                                            (ZIP CODE)


(REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)                                               512/343-8227        
                                                     -----------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                                               
- - - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (FORMER NAME, FORMER ADDRESS AND FORMER FISCAL YEAR, IF CHANGED SINCE LAST REPORT)
</TABLE>


         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 the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

        14,322,455 COMMON STOCK SHARES OUTSTANDING AT APRIL 30, 1996.
        -------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>   2
                      STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION

                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


Part I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.     Financial Statements
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          March 31,       December 31,       March 31,
(amounts in thousands, except share counts)                                 1996              1995              1995
                                                                      --------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>               <C>             <C>
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
   Cash and cash equivalents                                          $         8,004    $       10,041   $       14,862
   Marketable securities                                                        1,503             1,748            1,854
   Receivables, net of allowance of $403, $468 and $234                        12,057            10,909            8,609
   Inventories and supplies                                                    20,725            18,099           13,237
   Prepaid and deferred marketing expenses                                      4,678             1,456            3,147
   Note receivable from parent company                                          3,000             4,000              -
   Deferred plant costs                                                         2,741             2,854            2,188
   Other current assets                                                         1,598             1,667            1,392
                                                                      --------------------------------------------------
    Total current assets                                                       54,306            50,774           45,289

LAND, BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT, net                                              7,163             6,741            6,913

ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net                                                 8,548             8,998            5,241
DEFERRED PLANT COSTS                                                            3,349             3,015            3,190
                                                                      --------------------------------------------------
                                                                      $        73,366    $       69,528   $       60,633
                                                                      ==================================================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses                              $         6,816    $        4,551   $        2,695
   Accrued royalties                                                            2,633             2,129            2,707
   Accrued commissions                                                            657               343              540
   Accrued salaries, wages and bonuses                                          1,101               345              455
   Payable to parent company                                                      536             1,299            1,003
   Current portion of long-term debt                                            2,243               343              511
   Accrued and deferred income taxes                                              691               691            1,322
                                                                      --------------------------------------------------
    Total current liabilities                                                  14,677             9,701            9,233
                                                                      --------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES PAYABLE AFTER ONE YEAR

   Long-term debt, less current portion                                           943             2,904            1,286
   Deferred income taxes                                                          629               629              189
                                                                      --------------------------------------------------
                                                                                1,572             3,533            1,475
                                                                      --------------------------------------------------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
   Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized and               -                 -                -
unissued
   Common stock, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized;                    146               146              146
14,577,000, 14,573,000, and 14,568,000 shares issued
   Additional paid-in capital                                                  36,851            36,828           36,792
   Retained earnings                                                           21,940            21,143           14,828
   Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax                     13                10               (8)
effect

                                                                      --------------------------------------------------
                                                                               58,950            58,127           51,758
   Treasury stock, at cost (255,000 shares)                                    (1,833)           (1,833)          (1,833)
                                                                      --------------------------------------------------
    Total stockholders' equity                                                 57,117            56,294           49,925
                                                                      --------------------------------------------------
                                                                      $        73,366    $       69,528   $       60,633
                                                                      ==================================================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   3
                      STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION

                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


Part I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.     Financial Statements


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Three Months Ended
                                                                                    March 31,
                                                                              1996              1995
                                                                      ---------------------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>                <C>
(amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)                                   

NET REVENUES                                                          $        15,461    $       11,147
  Product cost and fulfillment expense                                          5,142             3,356
                                                                      ---------------------------------

GROSS PROFIT                                                                   10,319             7,791

  Product development                                                           2,666             2,306
  Selling and marketing                                                         4,989             3,420 
  General and administrative                                                    1,268             1,215
  Provision for doubtful accounts                                                  15                20
  Amortization of acquired intangible assets                                      346               184
                                                                      ---------------------------------

OPERATING INCOME                                                                1,035               646

   Interest income                                                                325               275
   Interest expense                                                               (75)              (49)
                                                                      ---------------------------------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                                                      1,285               872
    Income taxes                                                                  488               340
                                                                      ---------------------------------

NET INCOME                                                            $           797    $          532 
                                                                      ==================================

EARNINGS PER SHARE                                                    $          0.06    $         0.04 
                                                                      =================================

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING                                            14,377            14,335
                                                                      =================================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   4
                      STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW


Part I.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Item 1.     Financial Statements

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Three Months Ended
                                                                                     March 31,
(amounts in thousands)                                                            1996               1995
                                                                      ------------------------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>                <C>
CASH FLOW FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net Income                                                          $            797   $            532
                                                                                                           
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
    provided by (used for) operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                                                  286                313   
    Amortization of acquired intangible assets                                     346                184   
    Provision for doubtful accounts                                                 15                 20   
    Loss on sale of assets                                                          (1)                -     
    Change in assets and liabilities net of effects from                                                    
      acquisitions:                                                                                         
        Receivables                                                             (1,149)              (603)  
                                                                                                            
        Inventories and supplies                                                (2,616)              (417)  
                                                                                                            
        Prepaid and deferred marketing expenses                                                             
                                                                                (3,222)            (1,531)

        Deferred plant costs
                                                                                  (221)               405
        Receivable from/payable to parent company
                                                                                  (763)             1,551
        Accounts payable and accrued expenses
                                                                                 4,035               (132)
        Other
                                                                                    69                 24
                                                                      ------------------------------------


  NET CASH FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                                                                                (2,424)               346
                                                                      ------------------------------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Net sales (purchases) of marketable securities                                   248              5,446
  Note receivable from parent company, net activity                              1,000                 -
    Additions to land, buildings and equipment                                    (735)              (233) 
  Dispositions of land, buildings and equipment                                     28                 -   
  Acquisition costs, net of cash acquired                                          (91)              (115) 
                                                                      ------------------------------------

  NET CASH FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                               450              5,098
                                                                      ------------------------------------ 
CASH FLOWS FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                                  
  Changes in current portion of long-term debt                                   1,900                (51)
  Reductions in long-term debt                                                  (1,986)               (85)           
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock                                            23                 -      
  Purchase of treasury stock                                                        -                 (150)     
                                                                      -----------------------------------
  NET CASH FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                                                                                   (63)              (286)
                                                                      -----------------------------------
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
                                                                                (2,037)             5,158
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD
                                                                                10,041              9,704
                                                                      -----------------------------------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT THE END OF THE PERIOD                    $          8,004   $         14,862
                                                                      ===================================
</TABLE>
        

<PAGE>   5
                      STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 - Summary of Accounting Policies

Steck-Vaughn Publishing Corporation (the Company) was incorporated on March 10,
1993, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Education Corporation (NEC).
Effective April 2, 1993, NEC made a capital contribution of all of the stock of
Steck-Vaughn Company (SVC) to the Company.  The consolidated financial
statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned
subsidiaries, Steck-Vaughn Company and SV Distribution Company.

In August 1993, the Company completed an initial public offering in which
2,668,000 shares were sold for net proceeds of $29,775,000.  The shares sold
represented 18.3% of the outstanding shares of the Company.  The Company has
subsequently repurchased 255,000 shares of its outstanding common stock,
increasing NEC's ownership to 83.1% of the common stock of the Company.

Due to the seasonal nature of the Company's traditional selling cycle, a
substantial portion of selling and marketing costs of the Company are deferred
in the first half of the year and fully amortized later in the calendar year to
properly match the costs with revenues.

Effective January 1, 1995, the Company changed its method of valuing
inventories to the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method from the last-in,
first-out (LIFO) method.  Financial statements of all prior years were restated
to apply the FIFO method retroactively.

Effective January 1, 1995, the Company adopted AICPA Statement of Position 93-7
(SOP 93-7), "Reporting on Advertising Costs".  In accordance with the
statement, the Company records as advertising expense the production and
distribution costs of all advertising except the catalog costs of SV
Distribution Company as such advertising is distributed or placed.  The
catalogs of SV Distribution Company are treated as direct response advertising,
with the cost of the catalogs charged to expense in accordance with historical
response rates.

The Company is a member of an affiliated group of companies that joins in
filing consolidated tax returns.  The tax provision is calculated under the
terms of a tax sharing agreement entered into between the Company and NEC.
Under the agreement, the provision for income taxes generally is determined on
a separate company basis, subject to certain adjustments.  Benefits for credits
and other tax attributes are recognized by the Company when recognizable on an
NEC consolidated reporting basis.  Income tax expense represents amounts
payable to or receivable from NEC determined in accordance with the tax sharing
agreement.

In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited consolidated
financial statements contain all adjustments of a normal recurring nature
necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and
cash flows.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in
financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  It is suggested that these
financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and
the notes thereto included in the Company's 1995 Form 10-K. The results of
operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of
operations to be expected for the year.





                                                                               5
<PAGE>   6
                      STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 2 - Investments

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            March 31,       December 31,   March 31,
      (amounts in thousands)                                                  1996              1995         1995
                                                                            ----------------------------------------
      <S>                                                                   <C>             <C>            <C>

      Available-for-sale securities                                         $  1,503        $    1,748      $  1,854
      Held-to-maturity securities                                                -               1,000        10,500
                                                                            ----------------------------------------
                                                                               1,503             2,748        12,354

      Less securities classified as cash equivalents                             -              (1,000)      (10,500)
                                                                            ----------------------------------------

      Total marketable securities                                           $  1,503        $    1,748      $  1,854
                                                                            ========================================
</TABLE>



During the three months ended March 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company did not
realize a material gain or loss from the sale of available-for-sale securities.

Note 3 - Inventories and Supplies

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            March 31,       December 31,    March 31,
      (amounts in thousands)                                                  1996              1995          1995
                                                                           ------------------------------------------
      <S>                                                                  <C>                <C>          <C>

      Finished Goods                                                       $   19,924         $  17,111    $   12,920
      Work in process                                                             128                81           -
      Raw materials and supplies                                                  673               907           317
                                                                           ------------------------------------------

      Total                                                                $   20,725         $  18,099    $   13,237
                                                                           ==========================================
</TABLE>

Note 4 - Business Combinations

On April 30, 1996, the Company acquired all of the stock of Edunetics Ltd., an
Israeli corporation engaged in the development of educational software, for
cash consideration of $12,000,000.  At closing, the purchase price was funded
by cash on hand and advances totaling $9,000,000 under the revolving bank
credit agreement.  The acquisition will be accounted for using the purchase
method of accounting.  Accordingly, in the second quarter of 1996 the purchase
price will be allocated to assets and liabilities, including in-process
research and development projects, based on their estimated fair values as of
the date of acquisition.  The estimated value of the in-process research and
development projects will then be written off in the second quarter of 1996 as
required by generally accepted accounting principles.





                                                                               6
<PAGE>   7
                      STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
         RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Percentage of Net Revenues
                                                   Three Months Ended             Percentage
                                                        March 31,                 Change From
                                                  1996          1995           Prior Year Period
                                                  ----          ----           -----------------
<S>                                               <C>           <C>                    <C>

NET REVENUES:
Steck-Vaughn Revenues

  Elementary/High School                           46.3%         52.2%                 22.9%
  Adult education                                  18.2          25.7                  (1.5)
  Library                                          24.1          22.1                  51.1
                                                  -----         -----                 
                                                   88.6         100.0                  22.8

Summit Learning Revenues                           11.4           -                     -
                                                  -----         -----                 

TOTAL NET REVENUES                                100.0         100.0                  38.7


  Product cost and fulfillment expense             33.3          30.1                  53.2
                                                  -----         -----                 

GROSS PROFIT                                       66.7          69.9                  32.4

  Product development                              17.2          20.7                  15.6
  Selling and marketing                            32.3          30.7                  45.9
  General and administrative                        8.2          10.9                   4.4
  Provision for doubtful accounts                   0.1           0.2                 (25.0)
  Amortization of acquired
    intangible assets                               2.2           1.6                  88.0
                                                  -----         -----                 

OPERATING INCOME                                    6.7           5.8                  60.2

  Interest income                                   2.1           2.4                  18.2
  Interest expense                                 (0.5)         (0.4)                 53.1
                                                  -----         -----                 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                          8.3           7.8                  47.4

  Income taxes                                      3.1           3.0                  43.5
                                                  -----         -----                 

NET INCOME                                          5.2%          4.8%                 49.8
                                                  =====         =====                 
</TABLE>




                                                                               7
<PAGE>   8
                      STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS

NET REVENUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            REVENUES BY PRODUCT LINE                                         Three Months Ended
                                                                                 March 31,
                   (amounts in thousands)                                   1996           1995
                                                                          ------------------------
              <S>                                                         <C>           <C>
              Steck-Vaughn
                   Elementary and High School (El/Hi)                     $    7,152    $    5,820
                   Adult Education                                             2,821         2,865
                   Library                                                     3,719         2,462
                                                                          ------------------------
                                                                              13,692        11,147

              Summit Learning                                                  1,769           -
                                                                          ------------------------
                   TOTAL                                                  $   15,461    $   11,147
                                                                          ========================
</TABLE>


Revenues increased 38.7% over the same quarter of the previous year, as the
Company continued to garner strength from the Elementary and Library markets,
while adding the Summit Learning catalog business to reach individual decision
makers within school buildings.

El/Hi sales for the first quarter increased 22.9% over last year.  As in the
fourth quarter, El/Hi sales were primarily supported by robust sales in the
Company's traditional skills products for the Elementary Market in reading,
spelling, and math.  Testing and assessment products continued to sell well.
The strength of both of these types of products is indicative of the return of
schools to teaching basic skills using traditional approaches and the increased
use of standardized tests as a means of assessing students' progress and
measuring the success of individual schools.

Sales of Adult Education products were relatively flat compared to last year's
first quarter, as the limited availability of federal funds continued to hamper
sales.  In Fall 1995, the Company released a revision to its GED test
preparation course and acquired the product line of Educational Development
Laboratories, Inc. (EDL), to strengthen its product offerings in adult basic
skills.  Although the lack of funding has limited overall growth in the
segment,  both of these enhancements to the product line have performed well.

Library sales were up 51.1% for the first quarter compared to the first quarter
of 1995.  Much of the sales growth flowed from the Company's exclusive
distribution agreements with Wayland Publishers, Abdo & Daughters, and Larousse
Kingfisher Chambers, Inc.  The agreement with Wayland became effective January
1, 1996, and was rapidly assimilated into the Company's product line,
performing beyond expectations in the first three months of the contract.  In
addition, Library sales were boosted by the release of the revised 53-volume
Portrait of America series.

Revenues were also augmented by general price increases of 10.1% and 5.7%
effective September 1, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

Summit Learning sales of $1,769,000 were incremental to the Company, following
the acquisition of Summit in December 1995.  The Company has added selected
Steck-Vaughn print products to the Summit catalogs and is developing a new line
of print products for the home and teacher market channels.





                                                                               8
<PAGE>   9
                      STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS

PRODUCT COST AND FULFILLMENT EXPENSE

Product cost and fulfillment expense as a percentage of revenues increased for
the three-month period ended March 31, 1996, as compared to 1995,  primarily
due to the inclusion of the Summit Learning business for the first time.
Product cost and fulfillment for the Company's publishing operations for the
three months ended March 31, 1996, represented 29.4% of publishing revenues as
compared to 30.1% for the same period in the previous year.  Increases in the
cost of print products resulted from the increase in products acquired through
distribution agreements as opposed to internal development, the increased use
of wholesalers to sell library titles, and the full absorption of paper price
increases incurred during the past eighteen months.  These cost increases were
offset by the increased sales of testing products, which carry higher gross
margins, and the decline in royalty expense due to the increase in products
acquired through distribution agreements.  Summit Learning's product and
fulfillment costs, at 63.0% of revenues, reflect the non-proprietary nature of
the product line.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE

The following table reconciles product development investment to product
development expense for each of the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Three Months Ended
                                                                                  March 31,          Percentage
       (amounts in thousands)                                                1996          1995        Change
                                                                            -----------------------------------
       <S>                                                                  <C>           <C>           <C>  

       Product development investment                                       $ 2,887       $ 1,904        51.6%
       Plant costs capitalized                                               (1,197)         (565)      111.9
       Plant costs amortized                                                    976           967         0.9
                                                                            ---------------------
       Product development expense                                          $ 2,666       $ 2,306        15.6
                                                                            =====================
</TABLE>

Product development investment for the three months ended March 31, 1996,
increased more than 50% as compared to the prior year.  Higher product
development cost in the first quarter is primarily attributable to the timing
of expenditures, as more of the emphasis in the current year is on product to
be released in Fall 1996 as compared to last year when three major revisions
were being developed throughout the year for release in the following year.
Departmental expenses are higher with the addition of the EDL development
office in South Carolina, the expansion of the library development office in
New Jersey to accommodate growth in the segment, and full staffing in the
Austin office as more of the design work is being done internally.





                                                                               9
<PAGE>   10
                      STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS

SELLING AND MARKETING EXPENSE

The following table reconciles selling and marketing costs to selling and
marketing expense for each of the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Three Months Ended
                                                                                  March 31,          Percentage
       (amounts in thousands)                                                1996          1995        Change
                                                                            -----------------------------------
      <S>                                                                   <C>           <C>            <C>   

      Selling and marketing costs                                           $  6,661      $  5,151       29.3%
      Selling and marketing deferred                                          (1,672)       (1,731)       3.4
                                                                            ----------------------
      Net selling and marketing expense                                     $  4,989      $  3,420       45.9
                                                                            ======================
</TABLE>

Selling and marketing costs increased for the three months ended March 31,
1996, as compared to the prior year, due to higher commissions which resulted
from increased revenues and higher catalog expense due in part to the
acceleration of the recognition of catalog expenses in accordance with the
Company's adoption of the new accounting standard, SOP 93-7.  Sales and
marketing costs also increased as the Company circulated two new smaller
catalogs targeted to specified audiences during the first quarter.  In
addition, $716,000 of the total costs represents catalog expense recognized by
Summit Learning.

OPERATING INCOME BY PRODUCT LINE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Three Months Ended                Percentage of
                                                                    March 31,                        Revenue
   (amount in thousands)                                         1996       1995                1996          1995
                                                                ------------------             -------------------
  <S>                                                           <C>        <C>                 <C>             <C>
  Steck-Vaughn                                                  $ 1,251    $   646               9.1%          5.8%
  Summit Learning                                                  (216)       -               (12.2)          -
                                                                ------------------
            Total                                               $ 1,035    $   646               6.7           5.8
                                                                ==================
</TABLE>


Operating income as a percentage of revenues for the three months ended March
31, 1996, as compared to 1995, increased for Steck-Vaughn Company primarily due
to the increase in sales.  For the first quarter, Summit Learning reported an
operating loss reflecting the seasonally lower sales in the first quarter, the
high investment in catalogs, and $65,000 in amortization of acquisition
expenditures.

AMORTIZATION OF ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Amortization expense increased due to the acquisitions of substantially all of
the assets of Educational Development Laboratories, Inc., in October 1995 and
Summit Learning, Inc., in December 1995.

INTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE
Interest income for the three-month period ended March 31, 1996, was higher
than the previous year, reflecting the commitment fee and interest earned of
$207,000 and $75,000 for the three-month periods ending March 31, 1996 and
1995, respectively, on the Company's line of credit agreement with NEC.
Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 1996, was higher than the
prior year due to the debt incurred in the acquisition of EDL.





                                                                              10
<PAGE>   11
                      STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company's primary sources of liquidity are cash, marketable securities, and
cash provided from operations.  At March 31, 1996, the Company had $9,507,000
in cash and marketable securities.  The Company's uses of cash include product
development, capital expenditures, repurchase of the Company's common stock in
the marketplace, working capital requirements of the Company, and selected
acquisitions of complementary businesses and product lines.

The Company maintains a revolving bank credit agreement, the amount of which
was increased to $15,000,000 and the maturity date of which was extended to
June 10, 1998 during the first quarter of 1996.  The agreement provides for
borrowings at prime or, at the Company's option, LIBOR plus 1.5 percent.  The
bank credit agreement replaced the Company's borrowing ability from NEC
pursuant to an intercompany agreement.  At March 31, 1996, no amounts were
outstanding under the bank credit facility.

On April 30, 1996, the Company acquired all of the stock of Edunetics, Ltd., an
Israeli corporation engaged in the development of educational software, for
cash consideration of $12,000,000.  At closing, the purchase price was funded
by cash on hand and advances totaling $9,000,000 under the revolving bank
credit agreement.  The acquisition will be accounted for using the purchase
method of accounting.  Accordingly, in the second quarter of 1996 the purchase
price will be allocated to assets and liabilities, including in-process
research and development projects, based on their estimated fair values as of
the date of acquisition.  The estimated value of the in-process research and
development projects will then be written off in the second quarter of 1996 as
required by generally accepted accounting principles.

In conjunction with the acquisition of EDL, the Company issued a note to the
seller of $1,876,000 with interest at 6% payable quarterly and principal due on
February 29, 1997.  During March 1996, the valuation of certain assets acquired
from EDL were adjusted, increasing the note balance to $1,900,000.

Under the intercompany agreement between the Company and NEC, NEC has the
ability to borrow up to $10,000,000 from the Company.  Effective February 28,
1995, the Company and NEC entered into a revolving loan agreement which
provides that any borrowing by NEC will bear interest at LIBOR plus 2% and will
be secured by NEC's holdings of the Company's stock.  During the first quarter
of 1996, the credit facility was reduced to $5,000,000 while the maturity date
of the loan agreement was extended to June 30, 1996. At March 31, 1996,
$3,000,000 was outstanding under the NEC credit facility.

Net cash outflow for operating activities for the three months ended March 31,
1996, of $2,424,000 was $2,770,000 lower than the prior year period.  The
decrease reflects the additional unamortized catalog expense arising from the
inclusion of Summit Learning's operations, the payment during the quarter of
settlement costs and legal expenses associated with the lawsuit recorded in the
fourth quarter of 1995, and the decrease in the net intercompany payable with
NEC.

In May 1994, the Company announced a program to repurchase up to 500,000 shares
of its common stock.  As of March 31, 1996, 255,000 shares had been repurchased
for an aggregate amount of $1,833,000, increasing NEC's ownership to 83.1% of
the common stock of the Company.  The Company repurchased no stock during the
first quarter of 1996.

The Company expects that cash, cash provided from operations, and the revolving
credit facility will be sufficient to provide for planned working capital
requirements, debt service, and capital expenditures for the foreseeable
future.





                                                                              11
<PAGE>   12
                      STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)  Exhibits

 3.1     Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (1)

 3.2     By-Laws of the Company. (1)

 4.1     Specimen of Common Stock Certificate of the Company. (1)

10.1     Modification and Renewal of Note, dated December 28, 1992, between
         NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as holder, and Steck-Vaughn Company, as
         borrower, secured by and as purchase money for the Company's
         distribution center in Austin, Texas. (2)

10.2     Office Lease, dated July 1991, between Bristol Group, Inc., as
         landlord, and Steck-Vaughn Company, as tenant, for the Company's
         principal offices in Austin, Texas. (3)

10.3     Agreement, dated June 1, 1990, between the American Council on
         Education and Steck-Vaughn Company, granting exclusive license for
         reproduction and distribution of official GED Practice Tests and
         Addendum effective July 28, 1992. (4)

10.4     Form of Intercompany Agreement between the Company and National
         Education Corporation. (5)

10.5     First Amendment to Intercompany Agreement between the Company and
         National Education Corporation dated June 10, 1994. (6)

10.6     Form of Tax Sharing Agreement between the Company and National
         Education Corporation. (7)

10.7     Form of Indemnification Agreements between the Company and its
         Officers and Directors. (8)

10.8     The Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan as amended through May 17, 1995.
         (9)

10.9     National Education Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
         (10)

10.10    Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 26, 1993, by and between
         Steck-Vaugh Company as purchaser, and Creative Edge, Inc., as
         seller(11)

10.11    Revolving Line of Credit Note and Option Agreement between the Company
         and National Education Corporation, dated February 28, 1995(12)

10.12    Addendum to Agreement between the American Council on Education and
         and Steck-Vaughn Company extending the expiration of the Agreement to
         August 31, 2001 (13)

10.13    The Company's 1995 Directors' Stock Option and Award Plan (14)

10.14    Renewal and Extension Agreement between the Company and National
         Education Corporation, effective December 31, 1995 (15)





                                                                              12
<PAGE>   13
                      STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

10.15    First Amendment to Stock Option Agreement between the Company and
         National Education Corporation, effective December 31, 1995.(16)

10.16    Letter Amendment to Stock Option Agreement between the Company and
         National Education Corporation, dated February 1, 1996. (17)

10.17    Agreement between the Company and Edunetics Ltd. dated February 29,
         1996. (18)

10.18    Loan Agreement between NationsBank of Texas, N.A., and Steck-Vaughn
         Company, dated April 29, 1996. (19)

10.19    Second Renewal and Extension Agreement between the Company and
         National Education Corporation, effective March 31, 1996. (19)

10.20    Second Amendment to Stock Option Agreement between the Company and
         National Education Corporation, effective March 31, 1996. (19)

11.1     Statement re Calculation of Earnings Per Share. (19)

27.1     Financial Data Schedule. (19)

(b) A Form 8-K was filed on January 4, 1996, reporting the Company's intention
    to acquire all of the stock of Edunetics, Ltd.  The Company entered into a
    definitive agreement with Edunetics, Ltd., on February 29, 1996, and closed
    the transaction on April 30, 1996.





                                                                              13
<PAGE>   14
                      STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(1)   Incorporated by reference to the identically numbered exhibit in
      Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File
      No. 33-62334, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June
      17, 1993 ("Amendment No. 1 to S-1 Registration Statement").

(2)   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Registration
      Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-62334, filed with the Securities and
      Exchange Commission on May 7, 1993 (the "S-1 Registration Statement").

(3)   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's S-1
      Registration Statement.

(4)   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Amendment No.
      1 to S-1 Registration Statement.

(5)   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Amendment No.
      1 to S-1 Registration Statement.

(6)   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 in the Company's Form 10-Q for
      the quarterly period ended June 30, 1994, filed with the Securities and
      Exchange Commission on August 11, 1994.

(7)   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Amendment No.
      1 to S-1 Registration Statement.

(8)   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's Amendment No.
      1 to S-1 Registration Statement.

(9)   Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company's Amendment No.
      1 to S-1 Registration Statement.

(10)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's S-1
      Registration Statement.

(11)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company's S-1
      Registration Statement.

(12)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 in the Company's Form 10-K for
      the year ended December 31, 1994, filed with the Securities and Exchange
      Commission on March 29, 1995.

(13)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 in the Company's Form 10-Q for
      the quarterly period ended March 31, 1995, filed with the Securities and
      Exchange Commission on May 12, 1995.

(14)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A in the Company's Proxy Statement
      furnished in connection with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held May
      17, 1995, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29,
      1995.

(15)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 in the Company's Form 10-K for
      the year ended December 31, 1995, filed with the Securities and Exchange
      Commission on  March 25, 1996.

(16)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 in the Company's Form 10-K for
      the year ended December 31, 1995, filed with the Securities and Exchange
      Commission on  March 25, 1996.





                                                                              14
<PAGE>   15
                      STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION


(17)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 in the Company's Form 10-K for
      the year ended December 31, 1995, filed with the Securities and Exchange
      Commission on  March 25, 1996.

(18)  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 in the Company's Form 10-K for
      the year ended December 31, 1995, filed with the Securities and Exchange
      Commission on  March 25, 1996.

(19)  Filed herewith.





                                                                              15
<PAGE>   16
                      STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION


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 thereunto duly authorized.



                                        STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION


Date:  May 14, 1996                         By  /s/ FLOYD D. ROGERS
                                            ----------------------------------
                                            Floyd D. Rogers
                                            Vice President, Finance and
                                            Chief Financial Officer





                                                                              16
<PAGE>   17
                      STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION


                                        
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.     EXHIBIT                                                          PAGE NO.
- - - -----------     -------                                                          --------
     <S>        <C>                                                                 <C>
     10.18      Loan Agreement between NationsBank of Texas, N.A.,                  18
                and Steck-Vaughn Company, dated April 29, 1996.
                
     10.19      Second Renewal and Extension Agreement between the                  49
                Company and National Education Corporation, effective
                March 31, 1996.
                
     10.20      Second Amendment to Stock Option Agreement between                  53
                the Company and National Education Corporation, effective
                March 31, 1996.
                
     11.1       Statement re Calculation of Earnings Per Share.                     57
                
     27.1       Financial Data Schedule.                                            58
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.18


                                 LOAN AGREEMENT


    THIS LOAN AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of
___________, 1996, by and between STECK-VAUGHN COMPANY (the "Borrower"), a
Delaware corporation, and NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A. ("Lender"), a national
banking association, who agree as follows:


1.  Definitions.

    Unless a particular word or phrase is otherwise defined or the context
otherwise requires, each of the following- listed terms, as used in this
Agreement, has the meaning indicated below (such meaning to be applicable to
both the singular and plural forms of such term):

    Each of the terms Accounts, Account Debtor, Equipment, Inventory and
General Intangibles shall have the respective meanings assigned to that term in
the Texas Uniform Commercial Code - Secured Transactions in force on the date
of this Agreement.

    Advance shall mean an advance of funds by Lender, pursuant to this
Agreement or one of the other Loan Documents.

    Affiliate shall mean any Person controlling, controlled by or under common
control with any other Person.  For purposes of this definition, "control"
(including "controlled by" and "under common control with") means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities or otherwise.  If any Person shall own, directly
or indirectly, twenty percent (20%) or more of the indicia of equity rights
(whether outstanding capital stock or otherwise) of another Person, such Person
shall be deemed to be an Affiliate.

    Annual Audited Financial Statements shall mean the annual financial
statements of a Person, including all notes thereto, which statements shall
include a balance sheet as of the end of that Person's fiscal year and an
income statement and a statement of cash flow for such fiscal year, all setting
forth in comparative form the corresponding figures from the previous fiscal
year, all prepared in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
and accompanied by a report and opinion of independent certified public
accountants satisfactory to Lender, which shall state that such financial
statements, in the opinion of such accountants, present fairly the financial
position of such Person as of the date thereof, and the results of that
Person's operations for the period covered thereby, in conformity with
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
<PAGE>   2
    Borrowing Base shall mean, as of any particular time, an amount equal to
the sum of (i) 85.0% of the Eligible Accounts, plus (ii) 50.0% of the value (as
carried on Borrower's books) of the Eligible Inventory.

    Borrowing Base Report shall mean a report, in substantially the form of
EXHIBIT "A," attached hereto, duly completed and signed by the chief financial
officer or treasurer of Borrower.

    Business Day shall mean a day when Lender is open for business in Austin,
Texas.

    Business Entity shall mean corporations, partnerships, joint ventures,
joint stock associations, business trusts and other business entities.

    Chapter One shall mean Chapter One of the Texas Credit Code, as in effect
on the date of this Agreement.

    Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as now or
hereafter in effect, together with all regulations, rulings and interpretations
thereof or thereunder by the Internal Revenue Service.

    Collateral shall mean all accounts, inventory and proceeds now or hereafter
subject to the Security Agreement, or intended so to be.

    Commitments shall mean the commitments to lend funds under Article 2 of
this Agreement.

    Contract Rate has the meaning designated in Section 3.1.

    Current Accounts Receivable shall mean all Accounts that, as of the date of
any determination of Current Accounts Receivable: (a) are, or were, due and
payable not more than ninety (90) days from the date of the invoice or
agreement evidencing same; (b) have been billed within thirty (30) days after
the shipment of the goods or the providing of services giving rise to such
Accounts; (c) were billed not more than ninety-one (91) days before such date
of determination; (d) arise from the performance of services by the obligee of
the Account which have been fully performed, or from the absolute sale and
delivery of goods, subject to normal return policies, by the obligee of the
Account in which such obligee had the sole and complete ownership; (e) are not
subject to set-off, counterclaim, defense, allowance or adjustment (other than
discounts for prompt payment shown on the invoice) or to dispute, objection or
complaint by the Account Debtor concerning its liability on the Account; (f)
arose in the ordinary course of





                                       2
<PAGE>   3
business of the obligee thereon; and (g) are owed by an Account Debtor that is
not bankrupt or insolvent.

    Current Credit Limit has the meaning designated in Section 2.1.2.

    Debt to EBITDA Ratio shall mean, as of the end of any Person's fiscal year,
the ratio of (i) such Person's EBITDA for that year, to (ii) the unpaid,
principal balance of all Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Debt) for
borrowed money, and all lease obligations, owed by such Person, at the end of
such fiscal year.

    EBITDA shall mean Net Income, plus (a) depreciation, depletion,
obsolescence and amortization of Property determined in accordance with
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, plus (b) changes in deferred taxes,
reserves and other non- cash charges deducted from receipts in accordance with
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in determining Net Income, plus (c)
interest, plus (d) income tax.

    Eligible Account Debtor shall mean an Account Debtor who is neither (i) an
Affiliate of Borrower, nor (ii) an Account Debtor with whom Borrower has
suspended doing business.

    Eligible Accounts shall mean all Current Accounts Receivable that are owed
to Borrower, by an Eligible Account Debtor, and in which Lender either (i)
holds a first-priority, perfected security interest, or (ii) would hold a
first- priority, perfected security interest if the Security Effective Date had
occurred and Lender had properly filed the Financing Statements.

    Eligible Inventory shall mean all Inventory that consists of finished goods
produced by Borrower and owned and held by Borrower for sale, and all unused
paper owned by Borrower and intended for use in producing such finished goods,
in which Lender either (i) holds a first-priority, perfected security interest,
or (ii) would hold a first-priority, perfected security interest if the
Security Effective Date had occurred and Lender had properly filed the
Financing Statements.

    ERISA shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time, and all rules, regulations, rulings and
interpretations adopted by the Internal Revenue Service or the Department of
Labor thereunder.

    Event of Default shall mean any of the events specified as an Event of
Default in Section 8 of this Loan Agreement; provided there has been satisfied
any requirement in connection with such event for the giving of notice, or the
lapse of time, or the





                                       3
<PAGE>   4
happening of any further condition, event or act, and Default shall mean any of
such events, whether or not any such requirement has been satisfied.

    Financing Statements shall mean all such Uniform Commercial Code financing
statements as Lender shall require, in Proper Form, duly executed by Borrower
or others to give notice of and to perfect or continue perfection of Lender's
security interest in all Collateral.

    Generally Accepted Accounting Principles shall mean, as to a particular
Person, such accounting practice as, in the opinion of the independent
accountants of recognized standing regularly retained by such Person and
acceptable to Lender, conforms at the time to generally accepted accounting
Principles, consistently applied.  Generally accepted accounting principles
means those principles and practices (a) which are recognized as such by the
Financial Accounting Standards Board, (b) which are applied for all periods
after the date hereof in a manner consistent with the manner in which such
principles and practices were applied to the most recent financial statements
of the relevant Person furnished to Lender, and (c) which are consistently
applied for all periods after the date hereof so as to reflect properly the
financial condition, and results of operations and changes in cash flow, of
such Person.  If any change in any accounting principle or practice is required
by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in order for such principle or
practice to continue as a Generally Accepted Accounting Principle or practice,
all reports and financial statements required hereunder may be prepared in
accordance with such change only after written notice of such change is given
to Lender.

    Governmental Authority shall mean the United States of America, any State
of the United States and any political subdivision of any of the foregoing, and
any agency, department, commission, board, bureau, court, other tribunal having
jurisdiction over Lender, or Borrower, or any of their respective Properties.

    Guaranty Agreement shall mean that certain Guaranty Agreement dated of even
date with this Agreement and signed by Guarantor, by which Guarantor guarantees
payment of all Indebtedness now or hereafter evidenced by any one (1) or more
of the Notes.

    Guarantor shall mean Steck-Vaughn Publishing Corporation, a Delaware
corporation that owns 100% of the equity interests in the Borrower.





                                       4
<PAGE>   5
    Hazardous Materials shall mean (i) any "hazardous waste" as defined by the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et
seq.), as amended from time to time, and regulations promulgated thereunder;
(ii) any "hazardous substance" as defined by the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et
seq.) ("CERCLA"), as amended from time to time, and regulations promulgated
thereunder; (iii) asbestos; (iv) polychlorinated biphenyls; (v) any substance
the presence of which on any of Borrower's Properties is prohibited by any
Governmental Authority; and (vi) any other substance which by any governmental
requirement requires special handling in its collection, storage, treatment or
disposal.

    Hazardous Materials Contamination shall mean the contamination (whether
presently existing or hereafter occurring) of the improvements, facilities,
soil, ground water, air or other elements on, or of, any of Borrower's
Properties by Hazardous Materials, or the contamination of the buildings,
facilities, soil, ground water, air or other elements on, or of, any other
property as a result of Hazardous Materials at any time (whether before or
after the date of the Deed of Trust) emanating from any of Borrowers'
Properties.

    Highest Lawful Rate shall mean the maximum nonusurious rate of interest
permitted to be charged, contracted for, received or collected by applicable
federal or Texas law (whichever shall permit the higher lawful rate) from time
to time in effect.  At all times, if any, as Chapter One shall establish the
Highest Lawful Rate, the Highest Lawful Rate shall be the "indicated rate
ceiling" (as defined in Chapter One) from time to time in effect.

    Indebtedness shall mean and include all items which in accordance with
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles would be included on the liability
side of a balance sheet on the date as of which Indebtedness is to be
determined (excluding capital stock, surplus, surplus reserves and deferred
credits); provided, that such term shall not mean or include any Indebtedness
in respect of which monies sufficient to pay and discharge the same in full
(either on the expressed date of maturity thereof or on such earlier date as
such Indebtedness may be duly called for redemption and payment) have been
deposited with a depository, agency or trustee acceptable to Lender in trust
for the payment thereof.

    Investment shall mean the purchase or other acquisition of any securities
or Indebtedness of, or the making of any loan, advance, transfer of Property or
capital contribution to, or the incurring of any liability, contingent or
otherwise, in respect of the Indebtedness of, any Person.





                                       5
<PAGE>   6
    Legal Requirement shall mean any law, statute, ordinance, decree,
requirement, order, judgment, rule, regulation (or interpretation of any of the
foregoing) of, and the terms of any license or permit issued by, any
Governmental Authority.

    Lending Limit shall mean the limit imposed by one or more Legal
Requirements on the liability of Borrower to Lender.

    Lien shall mean any security interest, pledge, lien or restriction of any
kind, whether based on common law, constitutional provision, statute or
contract, to secure performance of any obligation.

    Loan Documents shall mean this Agreement, the Notes, the Guaranty
Agreement, all Security Documents, all instruments, certificates and agreements
now or hereafter executed or delivered to Lender pursuant to any of the
foregoing, and all amendments, modifications, renewals, extensions, increases
and rearrangements of, and substitutions for, any of the foregoing.

    Loans shall mean the loans described in Article 2 of this Agreement.  Loan
shall mean any of the Loans.

    NEC means National Education Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

    Net Income shall mean gross revenues and other proper income credits, less
all proper income charges (including taxes), all determined in accordance with
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; provided, that there shall not be
included in such revenues (i) any income representing the excess of equity in
any Subsidiary at the date of acquisition over the investment in such
Subsidiary, (ii) any interest in the undistributed earnings of any Person which
is not a Subsidiary, (iii) any earnings of any Subsidiary for any period prior
to the date such Subsidiary was acquired, (iv) any gains resulting from the
write-up of assets, (v) any proceeds of any life insurance policy, or (vi) any
gain which is classified as "extraordinary" in accordance with Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles.

    Notes shall mean the notes described in Article 2 of this Agreement,
together with all renewals, amendments, modifications, extensions and
rearrangements of, and substitutions for, any of such notes.  Note shall mean
any of the Notes.

    Officer's Certificate shall mean a certificate signed in the name of the
relevant Business Entity by either its President, one of its Vice Presidents,
its Treasurer, its Secretary or one of its





                                       6
<PAGE>   7
Assistant Treasurers or Assistant Secretaries, or any of its General Partners.

    Opinion Letter shall mean the opinion letter of counsel for Borrower, in
Proper Form.

    Organizational Documents shall mean, with respect to a corporation, the
certificate of incorporation, articles of incorporation and bylaws of such
corporation; with respect to a partnership, the partnership agreement
establishing such partnership; and with respect to a trust, the written
instrument establishing such trust; in each case including any and all
modifications thereof.

    Parties shall mean all Persons other than Lender executing any Loan
Document.

    Past Due Rate shall mean the lesser of (i) the Highest Lawful Rate, or (ii)
the Prime Rate plus three percent (3.0%).

    Permitted Investments shall mean all investments allowed by the Borrower's
current investment policy, a copy of which has been provided to Lender.

    Person shall mean any individual, Business Entity, trust, unincorporated
organization, Governmental Authority or any other form of entity.

    Plan shall mean any plan subject to Title IV of ERISA and maintained for
employees of Borrower or of any member of a "controlled group of corporations",
as such term is defined in the Code, of which Borrower, or any of its
Subsidiaries, is a part, or any such plan to which Borrower, or any of its
Subsidiaries, is required to contribute on behalf of its employees.

    Pre-Tax Income shall mean Net Income plus federal income taxes, state
income taxes and international income taxes.

    Prime Rate shall mean the varying rate so designated by Lender, and
established by Lender, from time to time as one of Lender's general reference
rates for calculating interest.  The Prime Rate is a reference rate and is not
necessarily the lowest rate actually charged to any customer.  Lender may make
commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the
Prime Rate.

    Proper Form shall mean in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Lender.





                                       7
<PAGE>   8
    Property shall mean any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether
real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible.

    Quarterly Unaudited Financial Statements shall mean the quarterly financial
statements of a Person, including all notes thereto, which statements shall
include a balance sheet as of the end of such quarter and an income statement
and a statement of cash flow for such fiscal quarter, and for the fiscal year
to date, subject to normal year-end adjustments, all setting forth in
comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter
of the preceding year, prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles and certified by the president, treasurer or chief
financial officer of such Person as being true and correct and fairly
reflecting the financial position of such Person as of the date thereof and the
results of its operations for the period covered thereby, subject to said
normal year-end adjustments.

    Security Agreement shall mean the Security Agreement dated of even date
with this Agreement and signed by Borrower, covering Borrower's Accounts and
Inventory.

    Security Documents shall mean this Agreement, the Security Agreement, and
any and all Financing Statements now or hereafter executed and delivered by any
Person (other than solely by Lender) in connection with, or as security for the
payment or performance of, the Notes or any Indebtedness created under this
Agreement.

    Security Effective Date has the meaning designated in the Security
Agreement.

    Subsidiary shall mean, as to Borrower, any Business Entity of which forty
percent (40%) or more of the indicia of equity rights (whether outstanding
capital stock or otherwise) is at the time directly or indirectly owned by
Borrower, or by one or more of its Subsidiaries.

    Subordinated Debt shall mean Indebtedness that has been, pursuant to a
written agreement that is acceptable to Lender, subordinated by the owner, or
obligee, thereof, to Indebtedness owed, or to become owing, to Lender.

    Tangible Net Worth shall mean total assets (valued at cost less normal
depreciation) except Investments that are not Permitted Investments, less (1)
all intangibles, (2) all liabilities, and (3) all Indebtedness and other
amounts owed by NEC, all determined in accordance with Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles.  The term "intangibles" shall include, without
limitation, (i) deferred charges (other than deferred marketing expense), (ii)
the amount of





                                       8
<PAGE>   9
any write-up in the book value of any assets contained in any balance sheet
resulting from revaluation thereof or any write-up in excess of the cost of
such assets acquired (other than any FASB 115 write-up of assets to market
value), and (iii) the aggregate of all amounts appearing on the assets side of
any such balance sheet for franchises, licenses, permits, patents, patent
applications, copyrights, trademarks, trade names, goodwill, experimental or
organizational expenses and other like intangibles; except that "intangibles"
shall not include prepaid items.  The term "liabilities" shall include, without
limitation, (i) Indebtedness secured by Liens on Property of the Person with
respect to which Tangible Net Worth is being computed whether or not such
Person is liable for the payment thereof, (ii) deferred liabilities, and (iii)
obligations under leases which have been capitalized.

    $15,000,000.00 Note has the meaning designated in Section 2.1.

    The following terms shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in
the Texas Business and Commerce Code as enacted and in force in the State of
Texas on the date hereof:

    accessions, continuation statement, fixtures, proceeds, security interest
    and security agreement.

2.  The Loans.

    2.1   The $15,000,000.00 Revolving Loan.

          2.1.1  Borrower has signed, and delivered to Lender, a Revolving
Promissory Note (the "$15,000,000.00 Note") in the stated principal amount of
$15,000,000.00 dated of even date herewith and made payable to the order of
Lender.  Lender shall, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
make a Revolving Loan to Borrower that will create indebtedness evidenced by
the $15,000,000.00 Note.  That Revolving Loan will be made by the making of one
or more Advances.  Lender's agreement to make such Revolving Loan establishes a
$15,000,000.00 line of credit (the "$15,000,000.00 Line of Credit"); and each
Advance made under the $15,000,000.00 Line of Credit shall, at the time such
Advance is made, create principal indebtedness evidenced by the $15,000,000.00
Note, in the amount of that Advance.

          2.1.2  Lender shall have no obligation to make any Advance under the
$15,000,000.00 Line of Credit on or after June 10, 1998.  In addition, Lender
shall have no obligation to make an Advance under the $15,000,000.00 Line of
Credit if making that Advance would cause the unpaid principal balance of the
$15,000,000.00 Note to exceed the Current Credit Limit.  As of any particular
date, and until June 10, 1997, the Current Credit Limit





                                       9
<PAGE>   10
shall equal the lesser of (i) $15,000,000.00, or (ii) the Borrowing Base.  As
of any particular date beginning on June 10, 1997, and continuing until June
10, 1998, the Current Credit Limit shall equal the lesser of (i) the amount by
which $15,000,000.00 exceeds the unpaid principal balance of the First Term
Note, or (ii) the Borrowing Base.  Borrower shall not, at any time, allow the
unpaid principal balance of the $15,000,000.00 Note to exceed the Current
Credit Limit.  Borrower shall not at any time allow the sum of the unpaid
principal balances of the First Term Note and the Second Term Note to exceed an
amount equal to the Borrowing Base.

          2.1.3  Within sixty (60) days after Lender receives Borrower's Annual
Audited Financial Statements for Borrower's 1995 fiscal year, Lender will give
Borrower notice of Lender's intentions regarding renewal and extension of the
$15,000,000.00 Line of Credit.  However, Lender shall not be obligated to renew
or extend the $15,000,000.00 Line of Credit on the same terms or on any other
terms.  If Lender fails to give such notice, Borrower's sole remedy shall be to
receive such a notice promptly after Borrower's request therefor.

          2.1.4  Beginning on the date of this Agreement and continuing until
June 10, 1998, a commitment fee shall accrue daily with respect to the unused
portion of the $15,000,000.00 Line of Credit.  The amount of that fee that
shall accrue each day shall equal the product of (i) 1/360 times (ii) .0025
times (iii) the amount by which a certain difference exceeds the outstanding,
unpaid principal balance of the $15,000,000.00 Note, on such day; such certain
difference being the difference produced by subtracting the unpaid, principal
balance of the First Term Note from $15,000,000.00.  On each date when a
payment is due under the $15,000,000.00 Note (or would be due if any accrued
interest were owing thereunder), Borrower shall pay to Lender the accrued,
unpaid portion of such commitment fee.

          2.1.5  If Borrower has not previously paid an initial commitment fee
of $18,750.00 to Lender, in consideration of Lender's agreement to make the
Loans, then Borrower shall promptly pay such initial commitment fee, in cash,
to Lender.

    2.2   The Term Loans.

          2.2.1  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Lender shall make,
and Borrower shall accept, the First Term Loan on June 10, 1997.  The First
Term Loan shall be in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the unpaid,
principal balance of the $15,000,000.00 Note on June 10, 1997, or (ii) the
Borrowing Base on June 10, 1997.  The First Term Loan shall be made by
Borrower's execution and delivery to Lender, and Lender's acceptance of, a
Promissory Note





                                       10
<PAGE>   11
(the "First Term Note") in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT "B"; and, the
delivery and acceptance of the First Term Note shall be in renewal and
extension of unpaid principal indebtedness evidenced by the $15,000,000.00 Note
immediately before the execution and delivery of the First Term Note.  The
stated principal amount of the First Term Note shall be the amount of the First
Term Loan.

          2.2.2  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Lender shall make,
and Borrower shall accept, the Second Term Loan on June 10, 1998.  The Second
Term Loan shall be in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the unpaid,
principal balance of the $15,000,000.00 Note on June 10, 1998, or (ii) the
amount by which the Borrowing Base exceeds the unpaid balance of the First Term
Note on June 10, 1998.  The Second Term Loan shall be made by Borrower's
execution and delivery to Lender, and Lender's acceptance of, a Promissory Note
(the "Second Term Note") in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT "C"; and, the
delivery and acceptance of the Second Term Note shall be in renewal and
extension of unpaid principal indebtedness evidenced by the $15,000,000.00 Note
immediately before the execution and delivery of the Second Term Note.  The
stated principal amount of the Second Term Note shall be the amount of the
Second Term Loan.

    2.3   Prepayments.  Borrower may prepay any and all of the indebtedness
evidenced by one or more of the Notes, in whole or in part, if:  (i) Borrower
simultaneously pays all interest that has accrued on any principal indebtedness
that is prepaid; (ii) Borrower gives notice of the proposed prepayment, to
Lender, in the manner specified in Section 9.2, at least three (3) Business
Days before the Business Day of the proposed prepayment; (iii) each partial
prepayment is to be applied to principal installments, if any, in the inverse
order of maturity; and (iv) any prepayment is made within either a Prime
Interest Period or the last three (3) Business Days of a LIBO Interest Period.

3.  Pre-Maturity Interest Rate.

    3.1   Rate Options.  The Contract Rate during each Interest Period shall be
determined in accordance with the provisions of this Article 3.  At any time
that is at least three (3) Business Days, but not more than five (5) Business
Days, before the beginning of an Interest Period, Borrower may exercise an
option (the "Rate Option") to designate a LIBO Rate for that Interest Period.
Borrower may exercise the Rate Option by either (i) giving written notice of
such exercise to Lender, which notice shall identify the first day of such
Interest Period and the length of such Interest Period (which length must be
either one month, two months, three months or six months), or (ii) giving
notice to Lender in any other manner acceptable to Lender.  If the Rate





                                       11
<PAGE>   12
Option is so exercised, then a LIBO Interest Period of the length specified in
that notice shall begin on the date specified in that notice.  For each LIBO
Interest Period (i.e., an Interest Period with respect to which a Rate Option
has been exercised), the LIBO Rate shall be:

          (i)    Lender's 30-Day LIBO Rate plus the Additional Percentage,
                 if that LIBO Interest Period is one month;

          (ii)   Lender's 60-Day LIBO Rate plus the Additional Percentage, if
                 that LIBO Interest Period is two months;

          (iii)  Lender's 90-Day LIBO Rate plus the Additional Percentage, if
                 that LIBO Interest Period is three months; and

          (iv)   Lender's 180-day LIBO Rate plus the Additional Percentage, if
                 that LIBO Interest Period is six months.

For each Prime Interest Period, the Contract Rate shall be the Prime-Based
Rate.

    3.2   Definitions.  Each of the following-stated terms has the meaning
indicated:

          (a)    "Interest Period" means either a LIBO Interest Period or a
    Prime Interest Period.

          (b)    "LIBO Interest Period" means a period beginning on the
    commencement date specified in a notice that is given to exercise a Rate
    Option and ending (i) immediately before the numerically corresponding day
    in the first, second, third or sixth calendar month after the month that
    includes such commencement date, or (ii) if such first, second, third or
    sixth calendar month has no such numerically corresponding day, then at the
    end of the last day of such month.

          (c)    "Prime Interest Period" means any period of one day, or two or
    more consecutive days, for which no Rate Option has been exercised.

          (d)    Each of the terms "30-Day LIBO Rate, "60-Day LIBO Rate,"
    "90-Day LIBO Rate," and "180-Day LIBO Rate" means the rate so designated by
    Lender and established by Lender from time to time with reference to the
    rate(s) at which deposits in U.S. Dollars are offered to Lender in the
    interbank





                                       12
<PAGE>   13
    eurodollar market, for periods of 30 days, 60 days, 90 days and 180 days,
    respectively; and those rates may not be the lowest rates charged by
    Lender.

          (e)    The Additional Percentage shall be 1.50% unless adjusted in
    accordance with this Paragraph (e).  If, before Borrower's Annual Audited
    Financial Statements for 1996 are available, Borrower advises Lender that,
    in Borrower's opinion, Borrower's operating income (determined in
    accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) for 1996 will be
    at least $14,000,000.00, then the Additional Percentage shall be adjusted
    to 1.30% effective as of the first day of Borrower's 1997 fiscal year;
    provided, however, that if Borrower's Annual Audited Financial Statements
    for 1996 show that such operating income was not at least $14,000,000.00,
    then such adjustment in the Additional Percentage shall be of no effect, so
    that the Additional Percentage for 1997 shall be 1.50%.  If, before
    Borrower's Annual Audited Financial Statements for 1997 are available,
    Borrower advises Lender that, in Borrower's opinion, Borrower's operating
    income for 1997 will be at least $17,000,000.00, then the Additional
    Percentage shall be adjusted to 1.25% effective as of the first day of
    Borrower's 1998 fiscal year; provided, however, that if Borrower's Annual
    Audited Financial Statements for 1997 show that such operating income was
    not at least $17,000,000.00, then such adjustment in the Additional
    Percentage shall be of no effect, so that the Additional Percentage for
    1998 and each year thereafter shall be 1.50%.  If Borrower's operating
    income for 1997 is at least $17,000,000.00, then the Additional Percentage
    shall be 1.25% thereafter until the date immediately following Borrower's
    first fiscal year, if any, in which its operating income is less than
    $17,000,000.00; and, on such date, the Additional Percentage shall return
    to 1.50% and remain at 1.50% at all times thereafter.  Any calculation of
    accrued interest based on an Additional Percentage that is less than 1.50%
    shall be provisional unless and until a determination is made from
    Borrower's Annual Audited Financial Statements that the Additional
    Percentage was appropriately adjusted.

          (f)    The "Prime-Based Rate" shall be the Prime Rate, except that at
    any time when the Additional Percentage is less than 1.50%, the Prime-Based
    Rate shall be the difference produced by subtracting 0.25% from the Prime
    Rate.

    3.3   Special Provisions Regarding the Contract Rate.  If Lender determines
(which determination shall be presumed correct absent evidence of error):





                                       13
<PAGE>   14
    (i)   Unavailability.  At the beginning of any LIBO Interest Period, that 
          by reason of any one (1) or more circumstances arising on or after the
          date of this Agreement, dollar deposits in an amount substantially
          equal to the unpaid balance of the Loans (and for a period
          substantially equal to the LIBO Interest Period) are not generally
          available in the interbank eurodollar market, or adequate and fair
          means do not exist for ascertaining the LIBO-Based Rate, then the
          Contract Rate during that Interest Period shall equal the Prime- Based
          Rate until Lender notifies Borrower that such circumstances no longer 
          exist.
        
    (ii)  Illegality.  At any time, that the initiation, or continued use, of
          the LIBO-Based Rate as a basis for determining the Contract Rate has
          become unlawful under Lender's good faith interpretation of any law,
          governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order (or would conflict
          with any such rule, regulation, guideline or order not having the
          force of law), or has become impractical as a result of a contingency
          occurring on or after the date of this Agreement which materially and
          adversely affects the interbank eurodollar market, then the Contract
          Rate shall thereafter equal the Prime-Based Rate.

4.  Conditions.

    4.1   All Advances.  Lender's obligation to make any Advance is subject to
the accuracy of all Borrower's representations and warranties when made and on
the date of such Advance, to Borrower's performance of its obligations under
the Loan Documents, and to satisfaction of the following additional conditions:
(a) Lender shall have received the following, all of which shall be duly
executed and in Proper Form: (1) the signed Note that will evidence
indebtedness created by such Advance; (2) the Guaranty Agreement and such other
documents as Lender may reasonably require; and (3) if the Security Effective
Date has occurred, evidence satisfactory to Lender as to the perfection and
first-priority of the security interests granted by the Security Documents; (b)
no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (c)
making such Advance shall not be prohibited by, or subject Lender to any
penalty or onerous condition under, any Legal Requirement, including but not
limited to, any Lending Limit; and (d) Borrower shall have paid all expenses of
the type described in Section 9.8 hereof through the date of such Advance.

    4.2   First Advance.  In addition to the matters described in Section 4.1
hereof, Lender's obligation to make the first Advance





                                       14
<PAGE>   15
is subject to Lender's receipt of each of the following, in Proper Form: (a)
the signed $15,000,000.00 Note; (b) a Certificate of Corporate Resolution
executed by the Secretary and the President of Borrower dated as of the date
hereof; (c) a certificate from the Secretary of State or other appropriate
public official of Delaware as to Borrower's continued existence and good
standing; (d) a certificate from the appropriate public official of the State
of Texas as to Borrower's due qualification and good standing; (e) the Security
Documents; (f) the Opinion Letter; and (g) policies or certificates of
insurance addressed to Lender reflecting the insurance required by Section 6.9
hereof; and to the further condition that, at the time of the first Advance,
all legal matters incident to the transactions herein contemplated shall be
satisfactory to counsel for Lender.

    4.3   Term Loans.  In addition to the matters described in Sections 4.1 and
4.2 hereof, Lender's obligation to make each of the First Term Loan and the
Second Term Loan is subject to Lender's receipt, in Proper Form, of the signed
First Term Note and the signed Second Term Note, respectively.

5.  Representations and Warranties.  To induce Lender to enter into this
Agreement and to make the Loans, Borrower represents and warrants to Lender, as
of the date hereof, as follows:

    5.1   Organization.  Borrower is duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware; has all power and
authority to conduct its business as presently conducted; and is duly qualified
to do business, and in good standing, in the State of Texas.

    5.2   Financial Statements.  Borrower's financial statements and
Guarantor's financial statements that have been delivered to Lender fairly
present, in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, the
financial condition and the results of operations of Borrower as at the dates
and for the periods indicated.  Since the date of the most- recent of such
financial statements, (i) no material adverse change has occurred in the
assets, liabilities, financial condition, business or affairs of Borrower, (ii)
Borrower has not become subject to any instrument or agreement materially and
adversely affecting its financial condition, business or affairs, and (iii)
Borrower has not engaged in any transaction outside the ordinary course of
Borrower's business, as that business was conducted before such date, that
materially and adversely affected its financial condition, business or affairs.

    5.3   Enforceable Obligations; Authorization.  The Loan Documents are
legal, valid and binding obligations of the Parties,





                                       15
<PAGE>   16
enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as may be limited
by bankruptcy, insolvency and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally and by general equitable principles.  The execution, delivery and
performance of the Loan Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary
action of each of the Parties; are within the power and authority of each of
the Parties; do not and will not contravene or violate any Legal Requirement or
the Organizational Documents of any Party; to the best of Borrower's knowledge
do not and will not result in the breach of, or constitute a default under, any
agreement or instrument by which any Party or any of its Property may be bound
or affected; and do not and will not result in the creation of any Lien upon
any Property of any Party except as expressly contemplated therein.  All
necessary permits, registrations and consents for such making and performance
have been obtained.  Except as otherwise expressly stated in the Security
Documents, the Liens of the Security Documents will constitute valid,
perfected, first-priority Liens in the Property described therein.

    5.4   Other Debt.  Borrower is not in default in the payment of any
Indebtedness or under any mortgage, deed of trust, security agreement, lease or
other agreement to which it is a party.  Except as set forth in Borrower's
financial statements delivered to Lender, or as otherwise previously disclosed
in writing to Lender, Borrower has no Indebtedness for borrowed money.

    5.5   Litigation.  Except as heretofore disclosed to Lender in writing,
there is no litigation or administrative proceeding pending or, to the
knowledge of Borrower, threatened against, nor any outstanding judgment, order
or decree affecting, Borrower or any of its Properties before or by any
Governmental Authority.  Borrower is not is in default with respect to any
judgment, order or decree of any Governmental Authority in any manner, or to
any extent, that materially and adversely affects its financial condition,
business or affairs.

    5.6   Title.  Borrower has good and marketable title to the Collateral,
free and clear of all Liens other than those permitted by Section 7.1.

    5.7   Taxes.  Borrower has filed all tax returns required to have been
filed and paid all taxes due, except those for which extensions have been
obtained and those which are being contested in good faith and reserves deemed
adequate by Lender have been established therefor.  Borrower is not aware of
any pending investigation by any taxing authority which in the event of an
adverse determination would have a material, adverse impact on Borrower's
financial condition or business prospects.





                                       16
<PAGE>   17
    5.8   Subsidiaries.  Borrower has no Subsidiaries.

    5.9   Representations by Others.  All written statements made by or on
behalf of Borrower, in connection with any Loan Document shall not be untrue or
incorrect in any material respect.

    5.10  Investment Company Act Not Applicable.  Neither Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries is an "investment company," or a company "controlled" by an
"investment company," within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended.

    5.11  Public Utility Holding Company Act Not Applicable. Neither Borrower
nor any of its Subsidiaries is a "holding company," or a "subsidiary company"
of a "holding company," or an "affiliate" of a "holding company," or an
affiliate of a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company," as such terms are
defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

    5.12  Regulations G, T, U and X.  None of the proceeds of any Loan will be
used for the purpose of purchasing or carrying, directly or indirectly, any
"margin stock" within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System ("margin stock") or to extend credit to others for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock or for any other purpose
which would constitute this transaction a "purpose credit" within the meaning
of said Regulation U, as now in effect or as the same may hereafter be in
effect.  Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries will take or permit any
action which would involve Lender in a violation of Regulation G, Regulation T,
Regulation U, Regulation X or any other regulation of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System or a violation of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, in each case as now or hereafter in effect.

    5.13  ERISA.  No Reportable Event (as defined in Section 4043(b) of ERISA)
has occurred with respect to any Plan.  Each Plan complies with all applicable
provisions of ERISA, and Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have filed all
reports required by ERISA and the Code to be filed with respect to each Plan.
Borrower has no knowledge of any event which could result in a liability of
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation.  Borrower and its Subsidiaries have met all requirements with
respect to funding the Plans imposed by ERISA or the Code.  Since the effective
date of Title IV of ERISA there have not been any nor are there now existing
any events or conditions that would permit any Plan to be terminated under
circumstances which would cause the lien provided under Section 4068 of ERISA
to attach to any Property of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.  The value of
the Plans' benefits guaranteed under Title IV of ERISA on





                                       17
<PAGE>   18
the date hereof does not exceed the value of such Plans' assets allocable to
such benefits as of the date of this Agreement and shall not be permitted to do
so hereafter.

    5.14  No Financing of Corporate Takeovers.  None of the proceeds of any
Loan will be used to acquire any security in any transaction which is subject
to Section 13 or 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

    5.15  Franchises, Co-licenses, etc.  To the best of Borrower's knowledge,
Borrower owns or has obtained all the material governmental permits,
certificates of authority, leases, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade
names, copyrights, franchises and licenses, and rights with respect thereto,
required or necessary in connection with the conduct of its business as
presently conducted.

    5.16  Survival of Representations, Etc.  All representations and warranties
made by Borrower hereunder shall survive the delivery of the Notes to Lender
and the making of the Loans hereunder, and no investigation at any time made by
or on behalf of Lender shall diminish Lender's rights to rely thereon.  All
statements contained in any certificate or other written instrument delivered
by Borrower or by any Person authorized by Borrower under or pursuant to this
Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall not
be untrue or incorrect in any material respect.

6.  Affirmative Covenants.

    Until (i) the termination of this Agreement, (ii) payment in full of the
Notes, and (iii) performance of all obligations of Borrower under the Loan
Documents, Borrower shall do, and if necessary cause to be done, each and all
of the following:

    6.1   Taxes, Existence, Regulations, Property, Etc.  At all times (a) pay
before delinquency all taxes and governmental charges of every kind upon it or
against its income, profits or Property, unless and only to the extent that the
same are contested in good faith, with reserves deemed adequate by Lender
established therefor; (b) do all things necessary to preserve its corporate
existence, qualifications, rights and franchises in all states where such
qualification is necessary; (c) comply with all applicable Legal Requirements
in respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership of its Property;
(d) cause its Property to be protected, maintained and kept in good repair; and
(e) make such replacements and additions to its Property as are reasonably
necessary to conduct its business.





                                       18
<PAGE>   19
    6.2   Financial Statements and Information.  Furnish to Lender: (a) as soon
as available and in any event within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year
of Borrower, consolidated Annual Audited Financial Statements of Guarantor and
Borrower, for such fiscal year; (b) as soon as available and in any event
within 45 days after the end of each of the first three (3) quarters of each
fiscal year of Borrower, consolidated Quarterly Unaudited Financial Statements
of Guarantor and Borrower for such quarter; (c) concurrently with the financial
statements provided for in Subsections (a) and (b) hereof, such schedules,
computations and other information, in reasonable detail, as may be requested
by Lender to demonstrate compliance with the covenants set forth herein or
reflecting any non-compliance therewith as of the applicable date, all
certified as true, correct and complete by the President or principal financial
officer of Borrower, and an Officer's Certificate, in the form of EXHIBIT "D,"
signed by the President or principal financial officer of Borrower; (d) as soon
as available, and in any event within 21 days after the end of each month, a
Borrowing Base Report, a report showing a detailed aging of the Borrower's
Accounts, and a report showing an accounting and valuation of Borrower's
Inventory, all dated as of the end of such month and signed by Borrower in
Proper Form; (e) as soon as available and in any event within 120 days after
the end of each of NEC's fiscal years, Annual Audited Financial Statements of
NEC for such fiscal year; and (f) such other information relating to the
financial condition and affairs of Guarantor and Borrower as from time to time
may be requested by Lender.

    6.3   Debt to EBITDA Ratio.  Cause Guarantor to maintain a Debt to EBITDA
Ratio that does not exceed 2.0 at and as of the end of each of Guarantor's
fiscal years.

    6.4   Tangible Net Worth.  Cause Guarantor to maintain a Tangible Net Worth
in an amount of $30,000,000.00, or more, at and as of the end of each of
Guarantor's quarter-annual accounting periods, beginning with such accounting
period that ends on December 31, 1996.

    6.5   Inspection.  Permit Lender to inspect its Property, examine its
files, books and records, make and keep copies thereof, and discuss its affairs
with its officers and accountants, all at such times and intervals, and to such
extent, as Lender reasonably desires.

    6.6   Further Assurances.  Promptly execute and deliver any and all other
and further instruments which may be requested by Lender to cure any defect in
the execution and delivery of any Loan Document or more fully to describe
particular aspects of Borrower's agreements set forth in the Loan Documents or
so intended to be.





                                       19
<PAGE>   20
    6.7   Books and Records.  Maintain its books of record and account in
accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

    6.8   Insurance.  Maintain insurance with such insurers, on such of its
Properties, in such amounts and against such risks as is reasonably
satisfactory to Lender, and furnish Lender satisfactory evidence thereof
promptly upon request.  These insurance provisions are cumulative of the
insurance provisions of the Security Documents.  Upon request, Borrower shall
cause Lender to be named as a beneficiary, loss payee as to hazard insurance
and/or additional insured as to liability insurance (as required by Lender) of
such insurance and shall provide Lender with copies of the policies of
insurance and a certificate of the insurer that the insurance required by this
Section 6.9 may not be canceled, reduced or affected in any manner without
thirty (30) days' prior written notice to Lender.

    6.9   Notice of Certain Matters.  Notify Lender immediately upon acquiring
knowledge of the occurrence of any of the following:  the institution or
threatened institution of any lawsuit or administrative proceeding that could
reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect Borrower's financial
condition, business or affairs; the occurrence of any material adverse change
in the assets, liabilities, financial condition, business or affairs of
Borrower; or the occurrence of any Event of Default or any Default.  Borrower
will notify Lender in writing at least thirty (30) Business Days before the
date that Borrower changes its name, the location of its chief executive office
or principal place of business, or the place where it keeps its books and
records.

    6.10  ERISA.  At all times:

          (a)    Maintain and keep in full force and effect each Plan;

          (b)    Make contributions to each Plan in a timely manner and in an
    amount sufficient to comply with the minimum funding standards requirements
    of ERISA;

          (c)    Immediately upon acquiring knowledge of any Reportable Event
    or of any "prohibited transaction," as such term is defined in the Code, in
    connection with any Plan, furnish Lender a statement executed by the
    president or chief financial officer of Borrower setting forth the details
    thereof and the action which Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto
    and, when known, any action taken by the Internal Revenue Service with
    respect thereto;





                                       20
<PAGE>   21
          (d)    Notify Lender promptly upon receipt by Borrower or any of its
    Subsidiaries of any notice of the institution of any proceedings or other
    actions which may result in the termination of any Plan and furnish to
    Lender copies of such notice;

          (e)    Acquire and maintain in amounts satisfactory to Lender from
    either the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or authorized private
    insurers, when available, the contingent employer liability coverage
    insurance required under ERISA;

          (f)    If requested by Lender, furnish Lender with copies of the
    annual report for each Plan filed with the Internal Revenue Service not
    later than ten (10) days after such report has been filed; and

          (g)    If requested by Lender, furnish Lender with copies of any
    request for waiver of the funding standards or extension of the
    amortization periods required by Sections 303 and 304 of ERISA or Section
    412 of the Code promptly after the request is submitted to the Secretary of
    the Treasury, the Department of Labor or the Internal Revenue Service, as
    the case may be.

    6.11  Indebtedness.  Pay timely all Indebtedness incurred by it and perform
all covenants, and satisfy all conditions, connected therewith.

    6.12  Hazardous Materials.  Borrower shall defend, indemnify and hold
harmless Lender from any and all liabilities (including strict liability),
actions, demands, penalties, losses, costs or expenses (including, without
limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and remedial costs), suits, costs of any
settlement or judgment and claims of any and every kind whatsoever which may
now or in the future (whether before or after the release of any applicable
Security Documents) be paid, incurred or suffered by or asserted against,
Lender by any person or entity or governmental agency for, with respect to, or
as a direct or indirect result of, the placement on or under, or the escape,
seepage, leakage, spillage, discharge, emission, discharging or release from
any of Borrower's Properties of any Hazardous Materials or any Hazardous
Materials Contamination or arise out of or result from the environmental
condition of any of Borrower's Properties or the applicability of any
governmental requirement relating to Hazardous Materials (including, without
limitation, CERCLA or any so-called federal, state or local "Superfund" or
"Superlien" laws, statute, law, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order or
decree), where such Hazardous Materials or Hazardous Materials Contamination
were





                                       21
<PAGE>   22
caused by or within the control of Borrower.  The representations, covenants
and warranties contained in this Section 6.14 shall survive the release of any
applicable Liens held by Lender.

7.  Negative Covenants.

    Until (i) the termination of this Agreement, (ii) payment in full of the
Notes, and (iii) performance of all obligations of Borrower to Lender under the
Loan Documents, Borrower shall not do any of the following:

    7.1   Liens.  Create or suffer to exist any Lien upon any inventory or
accounts now owned or hereafter acquired by Debtor; or in any manner directly
or indirectly sell, assign, pledge or otherwise transfer any of such inventory
or accounts; provided, however, that Borrower may create or suffer to exist:
(a) artisans' or mechanics' Liens arising in the ordinary course of business,
and Liens for taxes, but only to the extent that payment thereof shall not be
due; (b) Liens in favor of Lender; and (c) purchase money security interests
taken or retained to secure payment of all or part of Borrower's purchase price
for the Property subject to such security interests or Indebtedness incurred by
Borrower, to enable Borrower to purchase the Property subject to such security
interests; and, provided further, that Borrower may sell inventory in the
ordinary course of Borrower's business.

    7.2   Contingent Liabilities.  Directly or indirectly guarantee the
performance or payment of, or purchase or agree to purchase, or assume or
contingently agree to become or be secondarily liable in respect of, any
obligation or liability of any other Person except for the endorsement of
checks or other negotiable instruments in the ordinary course of business,
Indebtedness owed to Lender, and obligations and liabilities of Borrower's
Subsidiary.

    7.3   Liquidations and Dispositions.  In any single transaction or series
of transactions, directly or indirectly: (a) liquidate or dissolve; or (b)
sell, convey or lease substantially all of its assets.

    7.4   Distributions.  At any time, make any distribution of any Property,
other than cash dividends, to any of its stockholders.

    7.5   Nature of Business.  Change the nature of its business, or enter into
any business which is substantially different from the business in which it is
presently engaged.

    7.6   Books and Records. Change the method by which it maintains its books 
and records.





                                       22
<PAGE>   23
    7.7   Hazardous Materials.  Cause or permit any Hazardous Materials to be
placed, held, used, located or disposed of on, under or at any of its
Properties or any part thereof by any Person, or cause or permit any part of
any of its Properties to be used as a manufacturing, storage or dump site for
Hazardous Materials, or cause or suffer any liens to be recorded against any of
its Properties as a consequence of, or in any way related to, the presence,
remediation or disposal of Hazardous Materials in or about any of its
Properties, including any so-called state, federal or local "Superfund" lien
relating to such matters; provided, however, that this Section 7.7 shall not
prohibit Borrower from engaging in any activity in the ordinary course of
Borrower's business.

    7.8   Extensions of Credit.  Make any loan or advance to any individual,
partnership, corporation or other entity except (i) loans to NEC or Guarantor,
and (ii) other loans that, in the aggregate, never have an unpaid principal
balance in excess of $500,000.00.

    7.9   Borrowings.  Create, incur, assume or become liable in any manner for
any Indebtedness in excess of an aggregate amount of $1,000,000.00, except for
(i) normal trade debts incurred in the ordinary course of Borrower's business,
(ii) existing indebtedness disclosed to Lender in writing and acknowledged by
Lender before the date of this Agreement, (iii) Indebtedness owed to Lender,
and (iv) Indebtedness incurred by Borrower to acquire, or in the acquisition
of, other business entities or operations, as long as the sum of the aggregate
outstanding balance of such "acquisition" Indebtedness plus the aggregate
outstanding balance owing under the Notes does not exceed $15,000,000.00.

8.  Events of Default and Remedies.

    8.1   Events of Default.  Each of the following-described events, subject
to Section 8.4, shall be an Event of Default:

          (a)    Borrower fails to pay any Indebtedness evidenced by any of the
    Notes, or any other amount owed under the Loan Documents, as and when due;
    or

          (b)    Borrower or Guarantor fails to pay at maturity, or within any
    applicable period of grace, any principal or interest on any other
    obligation owed to Lender, or suffers to exist any circumstance under which
    Lender may declare such obligation due before its stated maturity; or
    Borrower fails to perform any covenant (other than any covenant contained
    in Sections 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 hereof) contained in any agreement made for
    Lender's benefit; or





                                       23
<PAGE>   24
    Borrower defaults under, or violates any material Legal Requirement in a
    way, or to an extent, that materially and adversely affects Borrower's
    financial conditions; or

          (c)    Any representation or warranty made by Borrower in any of the
    Loan Documents proves to have been incorrect, false or misleading in any
    material respect when made; or

          (d)    Borrower's failure to be in compliance with any covenant
    contained in Sections 6.3 and 6.5 hereof continues for a period of ten (10)
    days after Lender gives written notice of that failure to Borrower; or

          (e)    A final judgment, or judgments in the aggregate, for the
    payment of money that would, if paid, cause Borrower to be in violation of
    the covenant contained in Section 6.5 hereof is rendered against Borrower
    and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 30 days during which
    execution shall not be effectively stayed; or

          (f)    Borrower or Guarantor claims that at any time after the
    Security Effective Date Lender does not, or will not, have a valid,
    first-priority Lien as provided in the Loan Documents, on any Collateral
    purportedly provided by Borrower, or that either this Agreement or any one
    or more of the Notes is not a valid and binding obligation of Borrower, or
    that the Guaranty Agreement is not a valid and binding obligation of
    Guarantor; or

          (g)    Borrower sells, encumbers, or abandons (except as otherwise
    expressly permitted by the Loan Documents) any of the Property now or
    hereafter subject to any of the Security Documents; or any levy, seizure or
    attachment is made thereof or thereon; or

          (h)    Any order is entered in any proceeding against Borrower or
    Guarantor decreeing the dissolution, liquidation or split-up of Borrower or
    Guarantor, and such order remains in effect for 10 days; or

          (i)    Borrower or Guarantor makes an assignment for the benefit of
    creditors, becomes insolvent, fails generally to pay its debts as they
    become due, petitions or applies to any tribunal for the appointment of a
    trustee, custodian, receiver, (or other similar official) of, or for,
    Borrower or Guarantor or of all or any substantial part of the assets of
    Borrower or Guarantor





                                       24
<PAGE>   25
    or commences a voluntary case or any other proceedings relating to Borrower
    or Guarantor under any bankruptcy, reorganization, compromise arrangement,
    insolvency, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation or similar law
    (herein called the "bankruptcy law") of any jurisdiction; or

          (j)    Any petition or application is filed, or any such proceedings
    are commenced, against Borrower or Guarantor under the bankruptcy law of
    any jurisdiction, and Borrower or Guarantor by any act or omission
    indicates its approval, consent, or acquiescence, or an order for relief is
    entered in an involuntary case under the federal bankruptcy laws as now or
    hereafter constituted, or an order, judgment or decree is entered
    appointing any trustee, custodian, receiver, liquidator, or similar
    official for Borrower or Guarantor or any substantial part of the assets of
    either of them or adjudicating Borrower or Guarantor bankrupt or insolvent,
    or approving the petition in any such proceedings, and such order,
    judgment, or decree remains in effect for ninety (90) days; or

          (k)    Borrower or Guarantor conceals, removes, or permits to be
    concealed or removed, any part of its Property, with intent to hinder,
    delay or defraud its creditors or any of them, or makes or suffers a
    transfer of any of its Property which may be fraudulent under any
    bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance or similar law; or shall have made any
    transfer of its Property to or for the benefit of a creditor at a time when
    other creditors similarly situated have not been paid; or

          (l)    Borrower fails to be in compliance with the covenant in
    Section 6.4 hereof; or

          (m)    Any court finds or rules that at any time after the Security
    Effective Date Lender does not, or will not, have a valid, first-priority
    Lien as provided in the Loan Documents, on any Collateral purportedly
    provided by Borrower and Borrower fails to provide Lender with such a
    valid, first-priority Lien within thirty (30) days thereafter; or

          (n)    The liquidation or dissolution of Guarantor, or Guarantor's
    sale, conveyance or lease of substantially all of its assets.

If an Event of Default occurs, then Lender shall have the right, subject to
Section 8.4 below, to do any or all of the following:





                                       25
<PAGE>   26
(1) declare all, or any part, of all Indebtedness evidenced by any of the Notes
to be, and thereupon all the same shall forthwith become, immediately due and
payable; (2) terminate all Commitments; and (3) exercise any and all other
rights pursuant to the Loan Documents.

    8.2   Other Remedies.  In addition to and cumulative of any rights or
remedies provided in Section 8.1 hereof, if any one or more Events of Default
shall have occurred, Lender may proceed to protect and enforce its rights
hereunder by any appropriate proceedings, and the Liens evidenced by the
Security Documents shall be subject to foreclosure in any commercially
reasonable manner.  Lender may also proceed to enforce the specific performance
of any covenant contained in any of the Loan Documents, to enforce the payment
of the Notes, and to enforce any other legal or equitable right provided under
any of the Loan Documents or otherwise existing under any law.

    8.3   Remedies Cumulative.  No remedy, right or power conferred upon Lender
is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, right or power given hereunder
or now or hereafter existing at law, in equity, or otherwise, and all such
remedies, rights and powers shall be cumulative.

    8.4   Notice and Right to Cure.  Any provisions (other than the last
sentence of this Section 8.4) herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Lender
shall not, as the result of any Curable Event of Default, exercise any remedy
provided in any of the Loan Documents unless Lender has previously given
written notice of that Curable Event of Default to Borrower and that Curable
Event of Default has continued for a certain period (the "Cure Period") after
such written notice was so given.  With respect to each Curable Event of
Default that is a failure to pay, or a default in paying, any amount of money,
the Cure Period shall be ten (10) days; and with respect to all other Curable
Events of Default, the Cure Period shall be thirty (30) days.  As used herein,
"Curable Event of Default" means any Event of Default except any event
described in Subsections (d), (e), (f), (i), (j), (k), (l), or (m) of Section
8.1.  In no event shall Lender have any obligation to advance any funds to
Borrower, at a time when an Event of Default or a Default exists.

9.  Miscellaneous.

    9.1   No Waiver.  Neither Lender's failure to exercise, nor its delay in
exercising, any power or right under the other Loan Documents shall operate as
a waiver thereof.  Neither any single or partial exercise of any such right or
power, nor any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right
or power, shall





                                       26
<PAGE>   27
preclude any other exercise thereof or of any other right or power.  No course
of dealing between Borrower and Lender shall operate as a waiver of any right
of Lender.  No modification or waiver of any provision of any Loan Document,
nor any consent to any departure therefrom, shall be effective unless the same
shall be in writing and signed by the person against whom enforcement thereof
is sought, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the
specific instance for which given.

    9.2   Notices.  All notices under the Loan Documents shall be in writing
and either (i) personally delivered against receipt therefor, (ii) sent by
overnight courier against receipt therefor, or (iii) mailed by registered or
certified United States mail, return receipt requested, addressed as follows:

          (a)    If to Borrower:

                 Steck-Vaughn Company
                 8701 North MoPac, Suite 200
                 Austin, Texas  78759
                 Attention:  Vice President, Finance; with a copy to:

                 National Education Corporation
                 2601 Main Street
                 Irvine, California  92714
                 Attention:  General Counsel

          (b)    If to Lender:

                 NationsBank of Texas, N.A.
                 P.O. Box 908
                 Austin, Texas 78781-0908
                 (Attention:  Ms. Sylvia H. Maggio);

or to such other address of a party hereto as that party may designate by
notice hereunder.  Notices shall be deemed to have been given when personally
delivered or, if mailed, on the next Business Day after mailing.

    9.3   Governing Law.  Each Loan Document shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and the United States of
America.  Any legal proceeding against Lender arising out of, or in connection
with, any of the Loan Documents shall be brought in the District Courts of
Travis County, Texas, or in the United States District Court for the Western
District of Texas, Austin Division.

    9.4   Survival; Parties Bound.  All representations, warranties, covenants
and agreements made by or on behalf of





                                       27
<PAGE>   28
Borrower in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of the
Loan Documents, shall not be affected by any investigation made by any Person,
shall bind Borrower and its successors and assigns, and shall inure to the
benefit of Lender and its successors and assigns.  Lender's agreement to make
Loans to Borrower shall not inure to the benefit of any successor or assign of
Borrower.  The term of this Agreement shall be until the final maturity of all
the Notes and the payment of all amounts due under the Loan Documents,
whereupon it shall terminate; provided, however, that if Borrower pays all
amounts owing under the Loan Documents and agrees in writing that Lender has no
further obligations under the Loan Documents, then this Agreement shall
terminate.

    9.5   Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in several identical
counterparts, and by the parties hereto on separate counterparts; and each
counterpart, when so executed and delivered, shall constitute an original
instrument.  All such separate counterparts shall constitute but one and the
same instrument.

    9.6   Usury Not Intended; Refund of Any Excess Payments.  It is the intent
of the parties in the execution and performance of this Agreement to contract
in strict compliance with the usury laws of the State of Texas and the United
States of America from time to time in effect.  In furtherance thereof, Lender
and Borrower stipulate and agree that none of the terms and provisions
contained in the Loan Documents shall ever be construed to create a contract to
pay for the use, forbearance or detention of money, interest at a rate in
excess of the Highest Lawful Rate, and that for purposes hereof "interest"
shall include the aggregate of all charges which constitute interest under such
laws and are contracted for, reserved, taken, charged or received under the
Loan Documents. In determining whether or not the interest paid or payable,
under any specific contingency, exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, Borrower and
Lender shall, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, (a) treat
all Loans as but a single extension of credit (and Borrower and Lender agree
that such is the case and that provision herein for multiple Loans and Notes is
for convenience only), (b) characterize any nonprincipal payment as an expense,
fee or premium rather than as interest, (c) exclude voluntary prepayments and
the effects thereof, and (d) "spread" the total amount of interest throughout
the entire contemplated term of the Loans.  The provisions of this paragraph
shall control over all other provisions of the Loan Documents which may be in
apparent conflict herewith.

    9.7   Captions.  The headings and captions appearing in the Loan Documents
have been included solely for convenience and shall not be considered in
construing the Loan Documents.





                                       28
<PAGE>   29
    9.8   Expenses.  Any provision to the contrary notwithstanding, and whether
or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be consummated,
Borrower shall pay on demand all out-of-pocket expenses (including, without
limitation, the fees and expenses of counsel for Lender) in connection with the
negotiation, preparation, execution, filing, recording, refiling, re-recording,
modification, supplementing and waiver of the Loan Documents and the making,
servicing and collection of the Loans.  Borrower's obligations under this and
the following section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the
payment of the Notes.

    9.9   Indemnification.  Borrower shall indemnify, defend and hold Lender
harmless from and against any and all loss, liability, obligation, damage,
penalty, judgment, claim, deficiency and expense (including interest,
penalties, attorneys' fees and amounts paid in settlement) to which Lender may
become subject arising out of or based upon the Loan Documents or any Loan,
except for Lender's failure to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents
or any Legal Requirements.

    9.10  Entire Agreement.  The Loan Documents embody the entire agreement
between Borrower and Lender and supersede all prior proposals, agreements and
understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.  Each of Lender and
Borrower certifies that it is relying on no representation, warranty, covenant
or agreement except for those set forth in the Loan Documents.

    9.11  Severability.  If any provision of any Loan Documents shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be
affected or impaired thereby.

    9.12  Sale or Assignment.  Lender reserves the right, in its sole
discretion, without notice to Borrower, to sell participations in all or any
part of any Loan as long as Lender remains the "lead bank."

    9.13  Loan Agreement Controls.  If there are any conflicts or
inconsistencies among this Agreement and any of the other Loan Documents, this
Agreement shall prevail and control.

    9.14  Commitment.  Lender has no commitment to lend sums to Borrower other
than as specifically set forth herein.

    9.15  Arbitration.

          (a)  Basic Requirements.  Any controversy or claim between or among
    any of the Parties and Lender, including, but not limited to, any claim
    arising out of or relating to this





                                       29
<PAGE>   30
    Agreement or any related agreements or instruments and any claim based on
    or arising from any alleged tort, shall be determined by binding
    arbitration in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act (or if not
    applicable, the applicable state law), the Rules of Practice and Procedure
    for the Arbitration of Commercial Disputes of Judicial Arbitration and
    Mediation Services, Inc. (J.A.M.S.) and the "Special Rules" set forth
    below.  In the event of any inconsistency, the Special Rules shall control.
    Judgment upon any arbitration award may be entered in any court having
    jurisdiction.  Any one or more of the Parties, and/or Lender, may bring an
    action, including a summary or expedited proceeding, to compel arbitration
    of any controversy or claim to which this Agreement applies, in any court
    having jurisdiction over such action.

          (b)  Special Rules.  The arbitration shall be (i) conducted in the
    city of Borrower's domicile at the time of this Agreement's execution, and
    (ii) administered by J.A.M.S., who will appoint an arbitrator.  If J.A.M.S.
    is unable or legally precluded from administering the arbitration, then the
    American Arbitration Association will serve.  All arbitration hearings will
    be commenced within ninety (90) days of the demand for arbitration; and,
    the arbitrator shall, only upon a showing of cause, be permitted to extend
    the commencement of such hearing for no more than an additional sixty (60)
    days.

          (c)  Reservation of Rights.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be
    deemed to (i) limit the applicability of any otherwise applicable statutes
    of limitation or any waivers contained in this Agreement; or (ii) be a
    waiver by Lender of the protection afforded to it by 12 U.S.C Section 91 or
    any substantially equivalent state law; or (iii) limit the right of Lender
    (a) to exercise self help remedies as permitted by the Texas Uniform
    Commercial Code - Secured Transactions, or (b) to foreclosure of any lien
    or security interest against the Collateral, or (c) to obtain from a court
    provisional or ancillary remedies such as (but not limited to) injunctive
    relief, writ of possession, or the appointment of a receiver.  Lender may
    exercise such self help rights, cause a foreclosure of any such lien or
    security interest, or obtain any such provisional or ancillary remedies
    before, during, or after the pendency of any arbitration proceeding brought
    pursuant to this Agreement.  Neither Lender's exercise of self help
    remedies, nor Lender's institution or maintenance of an action for
    foreclosure or any such provisional or ancillary remedies, shall constitute
    a waiver of the right of any of the Parties, or Lender, to compel
    arbitration of the merits of the





                                       30
<PAGE>   31
    controversy or claim occasioning resort to such exercise, institution or
    maintenance.

    9.16  Waiver of Offset Rights.  Lender shall have no right to offset any of
Borrower's funds or moneys on deposit with Lender against any of Borrower's
liabilities or obligations under the Loan Documents; provided, however that
this Section 9.16 shall not impair or diminish any security interest granted by
Borrower or Lender's rights to enforce any such security interest.

    THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT REPRESENTS THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES
AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR
SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.  THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL
AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the date set forth above.

BORROWER:                             LENDER:
- - - --------                              ------ 

STECK-VAUGHN COMPANY                  NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A.
(a Delaware corporation)              (a national banking association)


By:                                   By: 
   ---------------------------           ----------------------------
Print Name:                           Print Name:
           -------------------                   --------------------
Title:                                Title: 
      ------------------------              -------------------------     



**EXHIBITS INTENTIONALLY OMITTED; FURNISHED UPON REQUEST.





                                       31

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.19


                     SECOND RENEWAL AND EXTENSION AGREEMENT


    WHEREAS, National Education Corporation ("Borrower") executed a Revolving
Line of Credit Note (the "Note") dated February 28, 1995, payable to the order
of Steck-Vaughn Publishing Corporation ("Lender"), in the original principal
sum of $10,000,000.00;

    WHEREAS, the indebtedness evidenced by the Note, as renewed, modified and
extended, is secured by an Intercreditor Pledge Agreement Pledge and Security
Agreement (the "Security Agreement") dated January 19, 1996 between Borrower,
as Pledgor, and BZW Division of Barclays Bank PLC, as collateral agent,
covering, among other collateral, all of the issued and outstanding shares of
capital stock at any time owned by Borrower of Lender;

    WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender have heretofore renewed, modified and extended
the Note pursuant to a Renewal and Extension Agreement (the "First Renewal")
dated as of December 31, 1995 between Borrower and Lender;

    WHEREAS, Borrower has requested Lender to again renew and extend the term
of the Note;

    NOW, THEREFORE, Borrower and Lender agree that:

    1.    Effective from and after February 1, 1996, the maximum principal
          amount that may be drawn by Borrower and that may be outstanding at
          any time under the Note, as renewed, modified and extended, is
          $5,000,000.

    2.    The Event of Default stated in paragraph number 5 on page 4 of the
          Note is hereby amended in its entirety to hereafter read as follows,
          to wit:

             Any "Event of Default" as defined in that certain Credit Agreement
             (the "Credit Agreement") dated January 19, 1996 among NEC, the
             several lenders from time to time parties thereto and BZW Division
             of Barclays Bank PLC, as Agent, has occurred and is continuing.

          The Events of Default stated in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 on
          pages 3 and 4 of the Note shall remain as stated in the Note.

    3.    After the effective date hereof, the Note shall be due and payable as
          follows, to wit:

          Interest only shall be due and payable monthly as it accrues on the
          first day of each month beginning April 1, 1996 and continuing on the
          first day
<PAGE>   2
          of each month thereafter until June 30, 1996 when the entire balance
          of unpaid principal and accrued, unpaid interest shall be due and
          payable in full.  Each installment shall be applied first to the
          payment of accrued interest payable on the unpaid principal balance,
          with the remainder being applied to the reduction of principal.

    4.    The principal balance of the Note from time to time remaining unpaid
          shall continue to bear interest at the rate of interest applicable
          thereto as set forth in the Note, provided that the interest payable
          shall not exceed the maximum amount that may be lawfully charged.

          After default or maturity, principal and past-due interest shall bear
          interest at the rate of interest applicable thereto as set forth in
          the Note, provided that the interest payable shall not exceed the
          maximum amount that may be lawfully charged.

    5.    All agreements between Borrower and Lender, whether now existing or
          hereafter arising and whether written or oral, are hereby limited so
          that in no contingency, whether by reason of demand for payment or
          acceleration of the maturity of the Note, as renewed, modified and
          extended, or otherwise, shall the interest contracted for, charged or
          received by Lender exceed the maximum amount permissible under
          applicable law.  If, from any circumstance whatsoever, interest would
          otherwise be payable to Lender in excess of the maximum lawful
          amount, the interest payable to Lender shall be reduced to the
          maximum amount permitted under applicable law; and if from any
          circumstance Lender shall ever receive anything of value deemed
          interest by applicable law in excess of the maximum lawful amount, an
          amount equal to any excessive interest shall be applied to the
          reduction of the principal of the Note, as renewed, modified and
          extended, and not to the payment of interest, or if such excessive
          interest exceeds the unpaid balance of principal of the Note, as
          renewed, modified and extended, such excess shall be refunded to
          Borrower.  All interest paid or agreed to be paid to the holder of
          the Note, as herein renewed, modified and extended, shall, to the
          extent permitted by applicable law, be amortized, prorated,
          allocated, and spread so that the interest thereon shall not exceed
          the maximum amount permitted by applicable law.  This paragraph shall
          control all agreements between Borrower and Lender.

    6.    Borrower hereby renews the Note and promises to pay to the order of
          Lender at its offices at 1025 Northern Boulevard, Roslyn, New York
          (or such other place of payment as the Lender shall notify Borrower)
          the principal sum thereof as may be advanced and remains unpaid, with





                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
          interest as specified in the Note, as renewed, modified and extended,
          and to perform all of Borrower's obligations under the Note, the
          Security Agreement, and any other documents pertaining thereto (the
          "Other Documents").

    7.    Borrower covenants and warrants that the Note, the Security Agreement
          and the Other Documents are not in default after giving effect to the
          extension, modification and renewal herein granted; there are no
          defenses, counterclaims or offsets to the Note, the Security
          Agreement or the Other Documents; that the Note and Security
          Agreement, as renewed, modified and extended, are in full force and
          effect, and that the Security Agreement shall continue to secure
          payment of the indebtedness evidenced by the Note, as renewed,
          modified and extended.

    8.    Borrower further covenants and warrants to Lender that the execution
          and delivery of this Second Renewal and Extension Agreement by
          Borrower will not be in contravention of or cause a default under any
          agreement to which Borrower is a party.

    9.    THE NOTE, AS RENEWED, MODIFIED AND EXTENDED, SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN
          ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE LAWS OF THE
          UNITED STATES APPLICABLE TO TRANSACTIONS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

    10.   The Note, the Security Agreement and the Other Documents shall remain
          in full force and effect as renewed, modified and extended by the
          First Renewal and by this Second Renewal and Extension Agreement.

    11.   This Second Renewal and Extension Agreement may be executed in
          duplicate originals and each duplicate shall have the same force and
          effect as an original.





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
    EXECUTED to be effective as of March 31, 1996.


                                                 "BORROWER"

                                        NATIONAL EDUCATION CORPORATION



                                        By:      
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Name:                               
                                                -------------------------------
                                           Title:                              
                                                 ------------------------------



                                                    "LENDER"

                                        STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION



                                        By:      
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Name:                               
                                                -------------------------------
                                           Title:                              
                                                 ------------------------------





                                      -4-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.20

                              SECOND AMENDMENT TO
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


    This Second Amendment to Stock Option Agreement is made and entered into by
and between National Education Corporation, a Delaware Corporation ("Company")
and Steck-Vaughn Publishing Corporation ("Optionee") as of March 31, 1996.


                                    Recitals

    1.    Company and Optionee entered into that certain Stock Option Agreement
(the "Stock Option Agreement") dated as of February 28, 1995 pursuant to which
the Company granted Optionee a stock option to purchase from the Company
290,000 shares of the stock of Optionee owned by the Company.

    2.    The Stock Option Agreement has heretofore been amended by that
certain First Amendment to Stock Option Agreement (the "First Amendment") dated
as of December 31, 1995.

    3.    Company and Optionee desire to again amend the Stock Option Agreement
to extend certain dates and to amend certain other matters contained therein.


                                   Agreement

    Now, Therefore, for $10.00 and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Company and
Optionee hereby agree as follows, to wit:

    1.    Section 2 of the Stock Option Agreement is hereby amended in its
entirety to hereafter read as follows, to wit:

          2. Term of Option

          Unless earlier exercised pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement, the
    Option shall terminate on, and shall not be exercisable after the earlier
    of (a) June 30, 1997, or (b) the date, if any, the Option is terminated
    pursuant to Section 8 below.

    2.    Subsection 3.1 of the Stock Option Agreement is hereby amended in its
entirety to hereafter read as follows, to wit:
<PAGE>   2
             3.1  Exercisability

          This Option may only be exercised, in whole or in part, once at any
    time after the earlier of (i) August 31, 1996 or (ii) any time one or more
    Events of Default (which have not been cured within any applicable cure
    period) have occurred under and as defined in that certain Revolving Line
    of Credit Note dated February 28, 1995 in the original principal amount of
    $10,000,000.00 executed by the Company and payable to the order of Optionee
    as renewed, modified and extended by that certain Renewal and Extension
    Agreement (the "First Renewal") dated as of December 31, 1995 between the
    Company and Optionee and that Second Renewal and Extension Agreement (the
    "Second Renewal") dated as of March 31, 1996 between the Company and
    Optionee (said Revolving Line of Credit Note as so renewed, modified and
    extended by said First Renewal and Second Renewal being herein referred to
    as the "Note"), until the expiration of the term of the Option as provided
    in Section 2 hereof.  For purposes hereof, a business day shall mean any
    day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or federal legal holiday.

    3.    Section 8 of the Stock Option Agreement is hereby amended in its
entirety to hereafter read as follows, to wit:

          8. Redemption

          At any time on or after the Credit Line Termination Date (hereafter
    defined) and provided that the Option has not theretofore been exercised,
    the Company may redeem the Option upon written notice of such redemption
    and payment of the Redemption Price (hereafter defined) by the Company to
    Optionee.  Upon the written notice of such redemption and payment of the
    Redemption Price by the Company to Optionee on or after the Credit Line
    Termination Date, the Option, to the extent not theretofore exercised,
    shall terminate for all purposes and shall not be of any further force and
    effect; provided that such termination shall not impair or affect
    Optionee's rights with respect to Shares previously exercised pursuant to
    the Option or Shares previously acquired by Optionee pursuant to the
    Option.  The "Redemption Price" shall mean the greater of (i) the Yield
    Amount (hereafter defined) plus the Adjustment Amount (hereafter defined)
    or (ii) $900,000 plus, if the Redemption Price is paid by the Company to
    Optionee after March 31, 1996, an amount equal to $1,250 per day for each
    day after March 31, 1996 until and including the earlier of (x) June 30,
    1996 or (y) the date of payment of the Redemption Price by the Company to
    Optionee.  The "Yield Amount" shall mean an amount equal to (i) twenty-five
    percent (25%) per annum on the principal balance from time to time
    outstanding under the Note from the Grant Date to and including the Credit
    Line Termination Date; less (ii) all interest which at any time has accrued
    under





                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
    the Note from the Grant Date to and including the Credit Line Termination
    Date.  The "Adjustment Amount" shall mean an amount equal to twenty-five
    percent (25%) per annum on the Yield Amount from the Credit Line
    Termination Date to and including the date of payment of the Redemption
    Price by the Company to Optionee.  For purposes of this Section 8, the
    Credit Line Termination Date means (i) June 30, 1996, if the indebtedness
    evidenced by the Note is paid in full on such date and the Company has not
    prior to June 30, 1996 agreed by a written notice delivered to Optionee
    that the revolving line of credit available under and evidenced by the Note
    has been terminated, (ii) the date on which the indebtedness evidenced by
    the Note is fully paid, if the indebtedness evidenced by the Note is not
    fully paid on June 30, 1996, or (iii) the date on which both the
    indebtedness evidenced by the Note has been fully paid and the Company has
    agreed by a written notice delivered to Optionee that the revolving line of
    credit available under and evidenced by the Note has been terminated, if
    the Company has agreed by a written notice delivered to Optionee that the
    revolving line of credit available under and evidenced by the Note is
    terminated prior to June 30, 1996.  The Redemption Price may be paid by the
    Company to Optionee, at the Company's option, in either or a combination of
    (i) cash, or (ii) shares of Optionee's common stock owned by the Company
    having a fair market value equal to the Redemption Price (or such balance
    thereof not otherwise paid in cash) based upon the close price for shares
    of Optionee's common stock on the NASDAQ National Market on the most recent
    day that Optionee's shares of common stock were traded on the NASDAQ
    National Market prior to the date of full payment of the Redemption Price
    by the Company to Optionee, provided that such shares of Optionee's common
    stock paid in payment of the Redemption Price are paid and delivered by the
    Company to Optionee free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.  In the
    event Optionee's common stock is no longer traded on the NASDAQ National
    Market, then the fair market value of Optionee's common stock for purposes
    of determining payment of the Redemption Price shall be determined on such
    other basis as the Company and Optionee shall mutually agree.  The
    Redemption Price may be prepaid by the Company to Optionee in such
    proportions and at such times as the Company may elect provided that the
    Option shall not be redeemed until the Redemption Price is fully paid and
    the other terms of this Section 8 are complied with by the Company.
    Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 8 to the contrary, and
    unless Optionee otherwise agrees in writing, the Company shall have no
    right to redeem and terminate the Option pursuant to this Section 8 at
    anytime any one or more Events of Default (as defined in the Note) exists
    and is continuing.  Nothing contained in this Agreement (i) shall be
    construed to extend or to commit to extend the revolving line of credit
    available under the Note or the maturity of the Note past June 30, 1996; or
    (ii) impair or affect Optionee's rights and remedies with respect to any
    collateral securing the indebtedness evidenced by the Note.  The redemption
    of the Option pursuant to this Section 8 may be made after notice





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
    of exercise of the Option has been given by the Optionee to the Company
    provided that written notice of such redemption and payment of the
    Redemption Price is made by the Company to Optionee prior to the Exercise
    Date specified in Optionee's notice of exercise of the Option to be given
    to the Company pursuant to Section 3.2.

    4.    THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY,
AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

    5.    The Company covenants and warrants to Optionee that the execution and
delivery of this Second Amendment to Stock Option Agreement by the Company is
not in contravention of and will not cause a default under any agreement to
which the Company is a party.

    6.    To the extent of any conflict between the terms of this Second
Amendment to Stock Option Agreement and the First Amendment, the terms and
provisions of this Second Amendment to Stock Option Agreement shall govern and
control.

    7.    Except as amended hereby and by the First Amendment, the Stock Option
Agreement shall remain in full force in effect in accordance with its terms.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have entered into this Second Amendment to
Stock Option Agreement as of the date first above written.

"COMPANY"                                   "OPTIONEE"

NATIONAL EDUCATION CORPORATION               STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING
                                             CORPORATION


By:                                          By:                                
   --------------------------------             --------------------------------
   Name:                                        Name:                           
        ---------------------------                  ---------------------------
   Title:                                       Title:                          
         --------------------------                   --------------------------
                                                      



                                      -4-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 11.1

                      STECK-VAUGHN PUBLISHING CORPORATION
                                  EXHIBIT 11.1
                       To Form 10-Q dated March 31, 1996
                       CALCULATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
                (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                           March 31,
                                                      1996            1995
                                                    ------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>   
Net Income                                          $    797       $     532
                                                    ========================
Common Stock:

        Shares outstanding from the beginning
           of the period                              14,313          14,338

        Shares issued,weighted for period held             1            -

        Assumed exercise of stock options using the
           treasury stock method                          63               5

        Purchase of treasury shares,
           weighted for period held                      -                (8)
                                                    ------------------------
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding                   14,377          14,335
                                                    ========================
Earnings Per Share                                  $   0.06       $    0.04
                                                    ========================
</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                           8,004
<SECURITIES>                                     1,503
<RECEIVABLES>                                   12,460
<ALLOWANCES>                                       403
<INVENTORY>                                     20,725
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                54,306
<PP&E>                                          11,571
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (4,408)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  73,366
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,677
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                        36,997
                                0
                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     (1,833)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    73,366
<SALES>                                         15,461
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                15,461
<CGS>                                            5,142
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    8,923
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   346
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    15
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                  75
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,285
<INCOME-TAX>                                       488
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                797
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       797
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.06
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.06
        

</TABLE>


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