For Immediate Release
Media ContactKim Zielinski/Mike Siemienas[email protected] or [email protected] Public Communications Inc.312/558-1770
BULL SCHOLARS PROGRAM SCORES A WINNERNearly 1,000 Chicago Middle School Students Benefit from Innovative After-School Enrichment Program
CHICAGO, November 6, 2000 -- An innovative after-school academic program is making a difference in the lives of nearly one thousand Chicago public middle school students. In its third year, the Bulls Scholars Program is helping to change the course of education in the Chicago Public Schools system. Newly released data that evaluates the program, shows Bulls Scholars scored higher on achievement tests than their peers and nearly 75 percent earned high school credits before they were out of middle school.
The Bulls Scholars Program, launched in January 1999 with a $3.5 million investment from the Chicago Bulls, is active in all 25 Chicago public middle schools. The program is designed to prepare average 7th and 8th grade students for a successful transition to high school. At each school, approximately 40 students are chosen by their teachers to participate in either English or algebra classes in the after-school program. Classes are co-taught by middle and high school teachers, a tactic that has proven to be one of the program's major strengths.
"Students are better prepared when teachers at both the middle school and the high school level are familiar with one another's curriculums. All of us, teachers and students, have a better idea of what to expect," said Marietta Beverly, principal of Michele Clark Middle School, 5101 W. Harrison St.
High School CreditAnother key component of the Bulls Scholars Program is the fact that students are eligible to receive a high school credit in English or algebra by attending class, completing required coursework and scoring well on the Chicago Academic Standards Examinations (CASE) given at the end of the year.
During the program's second year in 1999-2000, 62.5 percent (366/600) of the Bulls Scholars met all of the program requirements and earned high school credit in either English or algebra. The results from the program's first year in 1998-1999 were outstanding with 90.3 percent (352/390) of the Bulls Scholars earning high school credit. It is important to note that the standards for high school credit were changed from 'D' or better in 1998-1999 to 'C' or better in 1999-2000. Those students who did not receive high school credit, still have a jump start on their peers.
"The Bulls Scholars Program has demonstrated the powerful impact a private organization can have in keeping students interested in learning," said Paul Vallas, chief executive officer of the Chicago Public Schools.
Test ScoresTest scores are a strong indication of the program's success. Preliminary results of the 1999-2000 Chicago Academic Standards Examinations (CASE) -- a test intended for high school students -- suggest that on average Bulls Scholars scored higher than 48 percent of their high school counterparts in English and higher than 69 percent of their high school counterparts in algebra.
These results are consistent with the 1998-1999 CASE where on average Bulls Scholars scored higher than 49 percent of their high school counterparts in English and higher than 79 percent of their high school counterparts in algebra.
The positive impact of the Bulls Scholars Program continues in high school. The first group of graduates -- who were freshmen during the 1999-2000 school year -- performed well on the national Test of Achievement and Proficiency (TAP). In reading, 53 percent of Bulls Scholars scored at or above grade level, compared to 35 percent of other Chicago Public Schools 9th grade students. In mathematics, 69 percent of Bulls Scholars scored at or above grade level, compared to 44 percent of other Chicago Public Schools 9th grade students.
"Test scores are an important measurement for the Bulls Scholars Program but certainly not the only one," said Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. "Tests cannot measure the other positive affects this program has on children including increased self-esteem, confidence in their academic abilities and a decreased fear of high school."
Comments from Teachers and StudentsBeverly Hawkins, an 8th grade math teacher and department chairperson at Anderson Community Academy, 6315 S. Claremont Ave., agrees with Reinsdorf's assessment. "Students who participate in the program have more confidence in themselves. They become more vocal and less apprehensive about trying new things in the classroom."
Take, for example, Amanda Smith. Amanda was a C student in math during her three years at Robert A. Black Middle School, 9101 S. Euclid Ave. Her teachers believed she had untapped potential and at the start of her 8th grade year enrolled her in the algebra section of the Bulls Scholars Program. Amanda thrived with the increased one-on-one time with teachers and the next school year (1999-2000) she was valedictorian of her freshmen class at John Hope College Prep, with all A's in algebra.
"I had a head start when I got to high school," said Amanda. "I am more confident in myself now. I know I can accomplish anything I set my mind to and am no longer afraid to ask questions. It's great someone cared enough to give middle school kids a better chance of succeeding in high school."
There is also Tatiana Marinescu whose family came to the United States from Romania in August 1999 to give their children a better education and future. Tatiana enrolled in the algebra section of the program during her 8th grade year at Thurgood Marshall Middle School, 3900 N. Lawndale Ave. She earned high school credit in algebra and now is taking geometry as a freshmen at Lane Technical High School.
"I was new to my school and took a chance on this program. It allowed me to ask more questions and become more confident in my surroundings. I think the most important parts of the program are team work and getting to know your teachers better," Tatiana said.
Chicago Bulls Involvement in the ProgramThe Bulls' organization is actively involved in the program. Players and front office staff regularly visit schools and each school is invited to a Bulls' game during the season. The Bulls also host rallies at the United Center to encourage and reward kids for their involvement in the program.
The Bulls' $3.5 million donation, which is managed by the School Partners Program, underwrites the cost of teaching personnel, instructional texts and the latest in technology equipment. All 25 middle schools are equipped with wireless technology including 10 IBM ThinkPads, two printers and connectivity to the Internet. Each school also received 10 Casio graphing calculators and one digital camera. A new instrument for the 2000-2001 school year is the EduCart by Acer, which is equipped with a LCD video projector, a document camera, a video camera, and a network-ready computer with Microsoft Office 2000 software and Internet accessibility.
The Bulls Scholars Program is funded through a grant from CharitaBulls, the philanthropic arm of the organization. Created in 1987 as a vehicle for the Bulls to give something back to the community, CharitaBulls' primary objective is to create positive educational and recreational opportunities for children and young people. CharitaBulls' beneficiaries include the Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Public Library, Chicago Park District, Special Olympics Illinois, City Year Chicago and James Jordan Boys & Girls Club, among many others.
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