FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Kathie Marando, Community Solutions Agency

330-384-9090 ext.110

Adrienne Sabo, Prodigal

330-707-2088

***Media Advisory Jan. 22, 2 p.m.***

SPARK Program pays off for Warren City students

Officials to present new data at press conference

     Warren, January 15, 2010 — SPARK, Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids in only its second year, is already seeing evidence of the benefits this program has for Warren City preschool students.

      Raymond John Wean Foundation funded Community Solutions Association to provide SPARK to two Warren City neighborhoods in October 2008 with an inaugural class of 42 preschoolers. This first class of students began kindergarten in 2009 and test results from the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment-Literacy show that the program is working.

       On average, SPARK students scored 19.3 on the exam, three points higher than their classmates who were not enrolled in the SPARK program and two points higher than the state average.

       SPARK Warren is one of seven sites throughout Ohio that is preparing children for kindergarten by building reading, language, math, and social skills. Each month, families receive a new book, related activities, art supplies and a visit from their Parent Partner to share ideas and engage everyone in the learning process. In addition, families also attend a quarterly group meeting.

       From the beginning of the program, SPARK has placed a strong emphasis on the evaluation of the program to determine if it makes a difference for the children and parents. With this new data, SPARK Warren can see how well the program is working to prepare students for kindergarten and make it a seamless transition.

       SPARK officials will hold a press conference on Friday, January 22, 2010 at 2 p.m. at the Buena Vista Café in Warren to announce the test results. Members of the media are invited to attend.

       For more information on SPARK, please contact Kathie Marando at 330-394-9090 ext.110. For media inquiries, please contact Adrienne Sabo at 330-707-2088.

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