The University of Texas-Pan American GEAR UP Project Academic Enrichment Camps GEAR UP National Conference July 21, 2009

Grant Basics

Our Service Population & Project Staff  12 School Districts  22 High Schools  8, 950 Students  14 Centralized University GEAR UP Staff  22 GEAR UP Coordinators  22 GEAR UP Family Liaisons

5 Grant Components  Academic Preparation  Academic Preparation Support Services  Family and Community Outreach  Professional Development  Higher Education Collaborative

Quick Facts on Region  4 of the poorest counties in nation  90% Hispanic  80% Speak language other than English  25% Foreign born, primarily from Mexico  38% Live in extreme poverty  53% of adults have H.S. diploma  10% of adults are college graduates

Purpose Highlight initiative that provides academic enrichment & prepares students for college setting Share lessons learned in the implementation of this initiative Highlight the collaboration between different institutions

Our Partners UTPA’s Pre-College Academic Program University of Texas at Brownsville South Texas College Sure Score

Pre-College Academic Program The Pre-College Academic Program is a program designed to coordinate All academic and summer camps for UTPA. The PCAP coordinated, with our guidance, both our Homeland Security Camp & our Sci-Tech Camp for about 300 students!

UT-Brownsville Hosted a series of 1-Day Camps Highlighted one College per Camp GU Coordinators & UTB staff coordinated all aspects of the Camps

South Texas College South Texas College is the local community college which hosted approximately 100 students in four different Vocational/Technical “high- demand” career pathways Career pathways included: Automotive Technology, Emergency Care Attendant, Computer Science, & Facilities Maintenance (electricity, plumbing, HVAC, building maintenance)

Sure Score One of our key partners! They assisted us in the following major Initiatives: Professional Development for Teachers in the areas of Math & ELA (STAR & MARS) Testing Preparation (THEA, ACT, SAT, PSAT)

Academic Enrichment Camps

Academic Enrichment Camps In order to support our cohort students academically, we provide Academic Enrichment Camps. The camps are designed to enrich the students subject knowledge and to spark their interest in these areas of study!

Planning & Preparation To implement Academic Camps: Partner w/ a university or CC Partner w/outreach or recruiting department of that university/CC Decide on Residential or Non-residential Identify & decide on camps, recreational activities, and schedule Conduct periodic visits to the camps!

Planning & Preparation If residential camps, coordinate with other departments on campus: dorms, health clinic, wellness center, student union, campus P.D., Cafeteria, etc. Develop application packet Recruitment!!!! Develop contingency plans

Camp Application Develop & provide Application Packet Collect, review, and organize application packets THOROUGHLY! Develop and provide a check-in and check-out process Mail out a “Welcome” letter PREPARE for Registration!!

Camp Application Only completed applications were accepted for selection into the Camps. Each school was assigned a specific number of slots for each camp. Some schools may not use all their slots, so those “extra” slots were re-distributed “Cool” camps will have high demand!

Camp Application A deadline was set in order to process applications promptly After the due date, applications were then selected based on seat availability & on a “first come, first served basis”. Once applications were approved, cohort students were mailed a Welcome packet detailing the check-in procedures!

Camp Application Some of the forms included in the application consisted of the: Registration Parental Consent Media release (web, print stories) Code of conduct, Medical Release (notarized) Health History Wellness/Recreational Center (rockwall, pool)

Academic Enrichment Camps Residential Camps with PCAP!

Academic Enrichment Camps The Camps were in the areas of: Criminal Justice (Homeland Security) Science & Technology (Sci-Tech)

Academic Enrichment Camps This past school year, the UTPA GEAR UP program hosted 2 Academic Camps! A total of 300 boys & girls participated! The Camps were held over 3 days and 2 nights with days starting as early as 7:30 a.m. and ending with some evening fun activities at 10:00 p.m.

Academic Enrichment Camps The camps were coordinated in partnership with the UTPA Pre-College Academic Program which coordinates all academic camps at the University. As partners we developed and planned the camps PCAP then organized and coordinated the Camps.

GEAR UP students received hands-on demonstration by an ICE Officer! A Border Patrol Agent gets a small token of appreciation from the students! Homeland Security Camp

Sci-Tech Camp Everyone very attentive and asking questions!

Sci-Tech Camp Students in the technology section of the camp learning by going “low-tech” first!

Academic Enrichment Camps Day UT-Brownsville!

1-Day Camps Hosted by UT-Brownsville Consisted of sessions in Admissions, Financial Aid, & presentations by Colleges followed by tour of each college Tour included “hands-on” activities!

1-Day Camp College advisor doing presentation on majors for that college!

Sponsor’s View Sponsor’s View: Coordinators from Brownsville ISD

Academic Enrichment Camps Teens South Texas College!

STC Teens Camp We are using STC Teens Camp to focus on vocational/technical careers that are currently in high demand in our region! STC provided camps in the areas of automotive technology, emergency care, computer science, & facilities maintenance! Approximately 100 students participated in this week-long camp!

STC Teens Camp Next steps: Plans to expand this camp in same areas plus a 2-3 more from allied health field (i.e. nursing, radiology, dental assistant)! Plans to expand from 1 to 2 weeks! Plan to expand enrollment to students! Possibility: earn college credit in Program of Study (Certificate, Diploma)

STC Teens Camp The Automotive Technology group hard at work! Time for individualized learning!

STC Teens Camp The Girls in the Comp Science course following along! If you have questions, teamwork!

Academic Enrichment Camps Lessons Learned: Parent Concerns Early Planning Contingency planning Check out process Transportation Medical illnesses Registration

THEA Preparation Academies

What is THEA? Texas Higher Education Assessment is used to assess the reading, mathematics, and writing skills that entering freshmen should have to perform effectively in Texas public colleges and universities It was approved by the State for use by Texas institutions of higher education as an assessment instrument for incoming students

THEA Academies THEA Preparation Initiative: Developed to provide THEA preparation academies for our 10 th grade cohort students For students completing the academies, actual THEA exam was paid for

THEA Academies Teacher Training in ELA & Math for 2 teachers per campus (44 teachers total) Teachers then planned with Campus GU Coordinator to provide Academies for students through Saturday academies or after-school tutorial After 18 hours of instruction students were then eligible to test with THEA

THEA Academies THEA exams were arranged through the UTPA Testing Center Most schools used the scores for placement in dual enrollment classes!

THEA Academies Sure Score provided: Teacher training, Teacher materials, Student materials, Instructional support, Above & beyond support!

Questions????

Jorge L. Teniente Academic Advisor UTPA GEAR UP Project Office: (956) Fax: (956)