GEAR UP Services
In 2005, the State of Washington received a six-year, $21 million federal GEAR UP grant. The new program focuses on preparing 1,000 low-income students in 12 school districts for college success by providing them with a variety of services. Starting in 2006, GEAR UP began serving these students in the seventh grade. Now in the 9th grade, GEAR UP will follow these students through to high school graduation in 2011.
Washington also has a GEAR UP for Student Success grant that provides college preparation help to nearly 3,500 9th grade students in 25 school districts.
As part of these efforts, GEAR UP offers:
- Tutoring
GEAR UP school districts provides tutoring programs to participating students to. These programs help participating students improve academically. Tutors also give students while offering s support and guidance for their academic and career goal planning.
- Mentoring
Many GEAR UP students will be the first in their family to consider higher education. And, most don’t have college graduates in their lives to serve as role models. Mentors help fill that void and provide students with the support, leadership, guidance they need.
- College and career planning information
Successful college and career planning begins early on. Starting in middle school, GEAR UP students receive encouragement and resources to help them learn about college and career options. They take career inventory quizzes, learn about career choices and begin to map out the academic paths to get them to their goals.
- Access to financial aid
Most GEAR UP students will qualify for state and/or federal aid of some kind to help pay for college. We provide handbooks, workshops, and access to financial aid professionals to make compliance with the financial aid rules a littleeasier easier to understand.
Summer programs
GEAR UP Scholars Project students are required to participate in summer programming offered by their school’s GEAR UP program. They also participate in the University of Washington’s Summer Institute program.
- College visits
All students are encouraged to visit college campuses throughout middle and high school. Each GEAR UP site offers college visits and tours for participating students. Anyone can visit or set up a college tour by calling a college’s admissions department.
- Summer Institutes
The Summer Institutes bring GEAR UP students from Scholars Project schools to the University of Washington for a weeklong residential experience. Students attend seminars, explore the campus, engage in career and college planning activities, and make friends with other college bound peers.
- Teacher training
The University of Washington offers professional development for teachers, administrators and college access personnel. Each workshop provides educators with the opportunity to stay current with evolving education practices and to collaborate with colleagues from schools across the state. These activities help to develop a network of educators who are dedicated to improving their practice and to the success of their students.