GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness
and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a project funded by the
federal government to help middle and high school students get ready
for post secondary education and training.
Beginning in 1999, GEAR UP started serving Bishop and Lincoln Middle
Schools on their path to higher education and school success.
Currently, the GEAR UP project serves close to 4,000 students in
five schools. All students in Lincoln and Bishop Middle Schools are
served along with 9th and 10th graders at
Buchholz, Eastside and Gainesville High Schools.
GEAR UP services fall into the three main
categories of student services, professional development and parent
activities.
Student services can encompass a number of
opportunities for students including after school tutoring, academic
advisement, motivational presentations, financial aid information
and college campus field trips and summer enrichment.
Professional Development is offered to all
faculty and staff at the five GEAR UP schools. GEAR UP professional
development is designed to emphasize a number of important areas
that will help faculty and staff support student success. GEAR UP
staff development has been in the areas of diversity training, whole
brain learning, CRISS training and conflict resolution.
GEAR UP Parent Activities are meant to serve a
multitude of possible parent concerns including: FCAT preparation,
college admissions/ financial aid information, and effective methods
of communication with teens.
GEAR UP Parent activities are planned in
collaboration with the schools’ PTA and SAC organizations.
The Alachua County GEAR UP project combines
the resources and services of several project partners:
In addition to the project partners listed
above, GEAR UP collaborates with members of the school community and
the community at large to support students for school success. GEAR
UP is a catalyst for community involvement in the school setting. We
welcome community volunteers who would like to get involved in
supporting our youth.
For more information about GEAR UP nationwide,
see the USDOE website at:
www.ed.gov/gearup/
For information about the Alachua County GEAR
UP Project contact either Sharon Spreen (955-7671 x 234) or Bill
Goodman (955-7671 x 264)
