Summer Advantage USA Awarded Part of $11.5 Million Investment from Walmart

QUINCY, MA, July 06, 2011 (Press-News.org) The philanthropic arm of global corporate giant, Walmart, has granted part of an $11.5 million investment in summer learning to Summer Advantage USA.

Recognized by MSNBC, TIME Magazine, and the White House initiative United We Serve, Summer Advantage USA is one of the nation's few evidence based summer learning programs. In 2011, the nonprofit program will engage thousands of students (called "scholars") in learning and physical fitness.

The monumental investment is part of a national partnership between the Walmart Foundation and the National Center for Summer Learning. The funds awarded to Summer Advantage USA will impact over 4,000 scholars in the Midwest.

Founder and national education reformer, Earl Martin Phalen, shared, "We are thrilled that the Walmart Foundation and the National Center for Summer Learning recognizes the long term impact of summer learning. Summer Advantage USA has had phenomenal success in the Midwest and looks forward to impacting school districts and student performance across the country."

As the program enters the third year, school districts across the nation have expressed an interest in the summer program's results. State test scores for third-graders in Indiana increased nearly 16 points in language arts and 12 points in math.

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction said, "Using a rigorous program model scientifically validated to increase student learning, Summer Advantage helps students gain over two months of reading and math skills over the summer. Summer Advantage USA proves all students can learn if they have access to high quality instruction and equal educational opportunities."

Summer Advantage USA is one of the nation's few evidence based summer learning programs. In 2011 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.

Website: http://www.summeradvantage.org