Fairmont State GEAR UP Partnership

GEAR UP Goals

To significantly increase the academic preparation and performance for post-secondary education for GEAR UP students.

Ensure that students are academically prepared for and getting ready for college.

Ensure that courses are academically rigorous to ensure that class subject areas involve critical thinking skills, writing assignments, career exploration, importance of study habits, significance of math, science, English sequences.
Establish the process for annually identifying those academically at-risk students in the cohort and establish a plan for the provision and evaluation of additional assistance.
Work with each cohort county school to establish before-school, during-school, and/or after-school and Saturday intervention activities (tutoring & mentoring).
Ensure that those under-prepared or deficient in basic skill levels have opportunities for improvement.
Ensure equal access to the physically and learning disabled.

To significantly increase the number of high-poverty, at-risk students who are prepared to enter and succeed in an institution of higher education.

Provide academic intervention and motivational opportunities to improve academic progress, self-esteem, self confidence and participation in GEAR UP activities for the purpose of promoting college preparation and improved college going rates.
Ensure that special students, students with physical and learning disabilities, under-represented students, students in non-traditional fields, bilingual students, and parents have equitable access to academic courses, early intervention opportunities and support services offered in preparation for higher education.

To significantly increase students' and parents' knowledge of higher education options, preparation, and financing.

Ensure that parents are provided opportunities for middle and high school participation.
Ensure that parents receive college information, financial aid information, and college preparation information.
Ensure that parents are exposed to relevant information about college. Increase students' and parents' knowledge of college preparation requirements and college opportunities.
Provide cohort parents with GEAR UP brochure and obtain their commitment to participate in parent meetings and workshops (renewed annually).

To ensure that quality education and support services are provided to cohort students by providing on-going staff development and training for teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, tutor mentors, and volunteers.

Teacher / Counselor Training: Ensure that middle and high school faculty, administration and support staff are adequately trained to teach and work with students in pursuit of GEAR UP goals.
Tutor / Mentor Training: Ensure that middle and high school tutors and mentors are adequately trained to provide tutoring and mentoring services to students in the pursuit of GEAR UP goals. Mentor, Tutor & Volunteer Training: Work with County Schools, business and industry Partners, RESA VII, and Fairmont State Teacher Training Program annually to develop and implement a Tutor and Volunteer Training program, as well as a Mentor Training Program, using Yes You Can -- Established Mentoring Programs to Prepare Youth for College, or other mentor materials as a guide for developing an effective Mentor Program.
Parent Training: Ensure that middle and high school parents are adequately trained and involved in the educational development of students in the pursuit of GEAR UP goals.

To significantly increase the students' skill-level of use of computers, the Internet, and other technological advancements that will be needed to succeed in higher education

Ensure the inclusion of technological advances in course presentations and class assignments and the assurance of accessibility to physically and learning disabled students.
Ensure that students, teachers, and parents are proficient in their use of computers as it applies to GEAR UP goals.
Ensure that high poverty students have access to computer availability.

To significantly improve self-esteem and to acknowledge accomplishments & service by providing recognition to students, parents, partners, tutors, mentors, teachers, support staff, and volunteers.

Ensure that students, teachers, parents, volunteers, tutors, mentors, and community partners are recognized for their contributions to the success of GEAR UP.
Ensure that students receive academic and participation recognition for their successes.
Provide incentives, motivational activities, and awards to recognize student achievement.

To ensure the effective and efficient use of resources through collaboration and cooperation of diverse partnerships that are committed to GEAR UP goals.

To ensure the program integrity, budget & match accountability, and program management through reliable evaluations & oversight, using best practices and national models already established.

Ensure efficient and effective management of the GEAR UP grant.
Ensure the effective and efficient implementation of GEAR UP programs and services through ongoing, data-driven decision-making and comprehensive evaluation measures.
Ensure the timely collection and analysis of data.
Ensure that grant operations are being fully implemented, evaluated, and monitored for effectiveness and efficiency.
Ensure that budget, fiscal operations, and match management are managed effectively and efficiently in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
External Fiscal & Match Audits
Ensure that successful practices can be duplicated and shared to non-GEAR UP schools.