Grant Programs, GEAR UP

Listen to 2006-07 Gear Up Coordinator Dan Kosick here

Principal Investigator:

Dean S. G. Grant

Program Director:

Idalmis Batista-Blair

Program Secretary:

Heather Crandall

Office: AB 119
Phone: 607-777-2468
Fax: 607-777-6041
E-mail: ibatista@binghamton.edu

The Graduate School of Education and the Binghamton City School District have formed a partnership committed to serving and accelerating the academic achievement of groups of Binghamton students through their high school graduation. In 2005, a new grant was awarded which will serve all East and West Middle School students in grades 6 and 7 until they complete high school. They will receive services according to their individual needs.

The partnership, called GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs), provides:

• personal support through mentoring services,
• academic support through tutoring services,
• an emphasis on core academic preparation,
• college and career awareness/exploration,
• financial aid information,
• safe after-school programs and activities,
• college visits for students and families,
• summer service-learning opportunities,
• a summer transition program for incoming ninth grade students,
• opportunities to attend experiential summer camps at New York State Colleges,
• family nights at schools and at local events and
• participation in campus cultural events.

Enacted in 1998, GEAR UP funds partnerships among high-poverty middle and high schools, colleges and universities, community organizations and businesses to work with entire grade levels of students. The Binghamton partnership is one of five funded in New York State by the federal government.

A steering committee composed of the school principal, teachers, a parent and GSE faculty and staff advises the program.