What is GEAR UP?
Welcome to the GEAR UP Samoa Program. The “Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Program” has been awarded to American Samoa Community College for year 2006 to 2012.
The GEAR UP Samoa pilot cohort for Year One will serve the Western District 7th Grade students. GEAR UP Samoa is a systemic vehicle for change and innovative methods in classroom instructions. By providing comprehensive student and family support, GEAR UP Samoa will increase the number of low-income students prepared to enter and succeed in post secondary education.
Goals & Objectives
- Improve Teacher Quality through use of research-based strategies;
- Enhance the classroom environment to motivate student learning;
- Improve overall academic performance through tutoring, homework help & comprehensive student and family support;
- Increase computer literacy and proficiency of participants;
- Increase access to “highly qualified” teachers through successful passing of Praxis Exam;
- Decrease teacher shortage through consistent mentoring & teacher support;
- Increase college-bound students through advanced college curricula & college preparedness.
Parent Benefits
Family Support
- Parent involvement & Monitoring of student progress;
- Computer-based learning software to improve adult literacy;
- College planning assistance;
- Strengthening Families Model Program;
- Workshops on understanding adolescence, improving parent & child communication, building trusting relationships and knowing how to talk to your child about alcohol, drugs and other risky behavior;
- Financial Aid & Scholarship assistance;
- Health/Nutrition Education & Family Wellness;
- Fun family activities.
Student Benefits
GEAR UP Samoa Classrooms:
- Researched-based teaching strategies;
- Access to Computers;
- Computer-based learning software;
- Enhanced classroom environment;
- In-class supplemental resources e.g. reading books (fiction/non-fiction), manipulatives, activities, worksheets, hands-on materials;
- Group Learning Processes/Activities;
- Targeted Assistance where needed.
Intensive After-school Services:
- Math & English Homework Help;
- 1-to-1 & Small Group Tutoring;
- PSAT/SAT/TOEFL/ACT Preparation;
- Comprehensive Student Service Plan;
- Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU) Peer Education Model Program;
- Remediation & Extra Student SupportWorkshops on alcohol, tobacco & other drugs, adolescence, healthy relationships, effective communication, anger management, conflict resolution & good decision making;
- Screening Assessment;
- Intervention, Resource & Referral services.
Teacher Benefits
Professional Development & Support
- Methodology courses in Math & English
- MarkBook User Training (e-grade book);
- In-class Demonstration of Teaching Strategies;
- Pre-Praxis Preparation Workshops;
- Teacher Education Courses;
- Teacher Instructional Resources;
- On-site Mentoring & Teacher Support;
- Specialized Training in Curriculum Development & Curriculum Integration;
- Access ASCC GEAR UP Resource Center.