Former Mayor to Lead Summer Advantage Chicago

    BOSTON, MA, March 07, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Former Michigan City, Indiana Mayor Sheila Brillson has been tapped to lead Summer Advantage Chicago. Recognized by TIME Magazine and the White House initiative United We Serve, Summer Advantage USA is a research based summer learning program that works with school districts to impact student achievement.

The former Michigan City Mayor said her goals for the Chicago area include "increasing all children's access to quality summer learning opportunities by bringing the research based program to hundreds of Chicago children and partnering with Chicago leaders to be part of the national movement to help reverse summer learning loss."

Studies show students lose two months of math skills over the summer months. Students living in low-income communities also lose more than two months in reading achievement, despite the fact that their middle-class peers make slight gains.

Brillson, who is also a former teacher notes, "We want all children to go back to school ready to learn and to be successful citizens in their school, in their community and in the world."

With many Chicago children at home alone watching TV during the summer months, the program will give hundreds of students in grades K-8 the opportunity for civic, physical and academic engagement.

State test scores of Indiana third grade students enrolled in the program increased nearly 16 points in language arts and 12 points in math. Superintendent of Decatur Township Don Stinson said, "Those are real numbers and Summer Advantage is a huge part of that improvement."

In 2010, the Indiana Department of Education and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett honored Summer Advantage USA for the program's impact on math and language scores of students involved in the program.

Summer Advantage USA has been awarded funding for 600 summer learning scholarships in the Chicago area.

For interviews and more information contact Sheila Brillson, [email protected] or (360) 920 - 0062.

Recognized by the White House initiative United We Serve and TIME Magazine, Summer Advantage USA is one of the nation's few evidence based summer learning programs for grades K-8. In 2012 the programs will engage thousands of students in learning and physical fitness. Enrollment in Summer Advantage USA makes a 2 month difference in learning achievements for students. www.summeradvantage.org

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