CITIZEN SCHOOLS CONTACT: Holly Trippett, 301-452-3904, 617-695-2300 ext. 1161, hollytrippett@citizenschools.org
LAWRENCE H. SUMMERS CONTACT: Kelly Friendly, (650) 387-0042, kelly.friendly@larrysummers.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2013 – Boston, MA – Citizen Schools today announces Lawrence H. Summers as the Chair-elect of its national Board of Directors. Summers is the Charles W. Eliot University Professor and President Emeritus at Harvard University and former Treasury Secretary of the United States. Andrew Balson, current Chair of the national Board of Directors, will announce Summers’ new role during a breakfast organized by Citizen Schools, “Education and the Economy: A Conversation with Lawrence H. Summers,” today from 8-9:30 AM at the law offices of Edwards Wildman.
Founded in Boston, Citizen Schools partners with public middle schools in low-income communities nationwide to expand the learning day through academic mentoring and skill-building apprenticeships. The nonprofit is a leader in expanded learning time (ELT) since opening its first ELT program at the Edwards Middle School in Charlestown, MA in 2006. An expanded day partner at 24 schools in seven states, Citizen Schools external evaluations indicate that its students achieve gains in learning that are as large or larger than top charter schools and exceed the U.S. Department of Education’s guidelines for successful school turnaround.
“Citizen Schools is developing a new model for a longer, more engaging, and more effective school day,” said Eric Schwarz, Co-Founder and CEO of Citizen Schools. “I am excited Larry Summers has agreed to Chair our Board of Directors. He brings a deep understanding of education and its connection to economic growth and fairness. With his leadership, Citizen Schools is positioned to build on its track record of innovation and growth.”
“I am honored to be named Chair of Citizen Schools’ national Board of Directors,” said Summers. “Citizen Schools’ proven model offers an innovative and scalable solution to re-imagining what the school day of the 21st Century should look like.”
Summers will succeed Balson, who will remain on the board.
“On behalf of the board, I am excited to welcome Larry as the new Chair of the Board and work closely with him to deepen and expand Citizen Schools’ already considerable impact on education,” said Balson.
Summers will join the Board of Directors immediately and will become the Chair in early 2014. In the last two decades, Summers was the Director of the National Economic Council for President Obama and served as the 71st Secretary of the Treasury for President Clinton. In addition to his work in academia, government, and the private sector, Summers has long held a deep interest in education. Among other involvements, he serves on the executive committee of the Teach For America national board.
About Citizen Schools
Citizen Schools is a national nonprofit organization that partners with middle schools to expand the learning day for children in low-income communities. Citizen Schools mobilizes a team of AmeriCorps educators and volunteer “Citizen Teachers” to teach real-world learning projects and provide academic support, in order to help all students discover and achieve their dreams. For more information, please visit http://www.citizenschools.org/.
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