to further their education
Sometimes in rural areas, there are obstacles that might interfere with students attaining post high school education--obstacles that aren't factors in larger, more metropolitan areas. Gear Up is a program that offers targeted early intervention services to students to improve academic achievement and readiness for postsecondary education.
Gear Up is a Federal Program implemented and run by individual states. The purpose of this program is to “gain early awareness and readiness for undergraduate programs.” Each state has its own method for implementing the program. Here in Bonners Ferry, they are starting with two classes, the current freshman and sophomores, and will follow them until college. There are 25 of these programs currently in Idaho.
The program here in Bonners Ferry began four years ago. Mrs. Bayer applied to bring the program here, and was accepted based on graduation rates, free and reduced lunch, and the poverty rate. The program is run at the Bonners Ferry High School by Paula Petesch. She is enthusiastic about the program’s promise and wants it, and the students, to meet their full potential. Mrs. Petesch puts together a list of program ideas at the beginning of each year, and applies for a budget from that information.
Mrs. Petesch has taken students on trips to colleges in the surrounding area. North Idaho College, the University of Idaho, and Gonzaga are a few of the schools they have visited. They have attended S.T.E.M. expos, where science, technology, engineering, and mathematics career are presented. The program also helps to pay for ACT and SAT tests. There are now two practice tests, the Explore and Inspire tests that the students can take free of charge to practice for the ACT.
Mrs. Petesch also organizes family events so parents can learn about what their students are doing. Though they have not yet been well-attended, Mrs. Petesch hopes that will improve in the future. In the next few years Mrs. Petesch hopes to take the kids to the Idaho Gear Up summit, a week-long event in Boise, Idaho.
There has been a marked improvement in college preparation in the students that are part of the program. A large portion of the students have better grades and more extracurricular involvement. Mrs. Petesch believes there would be an even greater impact if the Gear Up program were to become an actual class. The students would have a focused time to learn about post-secondary opportunities, and work towards their future.
For more information about Gear Up, please visit the District website:
http://bcms-bcsd-id.schoolloop.com/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1326186248973&group_id=1325749100048&no_controls=t