'GEAR UP' encourages college after graduation
Program prepares city high scholars for college application process.
By Lauren Bertolini
Posted: 4/7/08, 11:58 PM EST Section: News
The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) has two new directors and a new location in Syracuse University's School of Education, but its mission is still the same.
"Syracuse University staff goes into the (Syracuse city) schools, and they actually push into the classes to deliver college education programs," said Bernice Bradway, the new director of the state-funded portion of SU's GEAR UP.
GEAR UP is a joint venture between SU and the Syracuse City School District. The program is currently following seventh and eighth graders at 11 Syracuse middle schools and the freshman class of students in Henninger, Nottingham, Fowler, Corcoran and Central Technical high schools.
The program works to provide middle and high school students with the necessary tools to successfully apply for college and receive the necessary financial aid.
GEAR UP's main program, the "college-ed" curriculum was designed by the College Board, a not-for profit association best known for the SAT and PSAT tests. The program works with students from eighth to 12th grade, introducing new aspects of the college admission and financial aid processes to students each year.
"If we get kids more college-minded, they are more likely to cross the stage at graduation," Bradway said.
Further efforts are made to encourage students to graduate through subcontracted services with agencies like the Partners for Education & Business.
"Particularly with urban youth, the concern with dropout is number-one in our mind," said Joe Vargo, the executive director of Partners in Education & Business. "Forty to 50 percent of the kids who enter in ninth grade don't cross the stage at graduation. Syracuse got this grant because of this problem, this big problem."
The not-for profit corporation uses career education and exploration to enable students to develop the necessary skills for the job they hope to work in the future. Students take a survey at the beginning of each year testing their competence in areas such as locating and reading information. They are then told how much they must improve in this area in order to be qualified for the profession of their choice.
"Syracuse University staff goes into the (Syracuse city) schools, and they actually push into the classes to deliver college education programs," said Bernice Bradway, the new director of the state-funded portion of SU's GEAR UP.
GEAR UP is a joint venture between SU and the Syracuse City School District. The program is currently following seventh and eighth graders at 11 Syracuse middle schools and the freshman class of students in Henninger, Nottingham, Fowler, Corcoran and Central Technical high schools.
The program works to provide middle and high school students with the necessary tools to successfully apply for college and receive the necessary financial aid.
GEAR UP's main program, the "college-ed" curriculum was designed by the College Board, a not-for profit association best known for the SAT and PSAT tests. The program works with students from eighth to 12th grade, introducing new aspects of the college admission and financial aid processes to students each year.
"If we get kids more college-minded, they are more likely to cross the stage at graduation," Bradway said.
Further efforts are made to encourage students to graduate through subcontracted services with agencies like the Partners for Education & Business.
"Particularly with urban youth, the concern with dropout is number-one in our mind," said Joe Vargo, the executive director of Partners in Education & Business. "Forty to 50 percent of the kids who enter in ninth grade don't cross the stage at graduation. Syracuse got this grant because of this problem, this big problem."
The not-for profit corporation uses career education and exploration to enable students to develop the necessary skills for the job they hope to work in the future. Students take a survey at the beginning of each year testing their competence in areas such as locating and reading information. They are then told how much they must improve in this area in order to be qualified for the profession of their choice.
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