Release

School of Education Tutors Albany Middle School Students

Contact: Catherine Herman (518) 437-4980

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 17, 2005) -- University at Albany undergraduates will tutor middle school students of the City School District of Albany as part of the New York State Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR-UP). UAlbany's School of Education has received a $154,326 grant for the program which will extend until August 31, 2011.

The GEAR-UP program grant is a subcontract with the City School District of Albany, which will expand the services offered by the School of Education via student community service and work-study programs. Participating university students will work as after-school tutors for 7th graders at Hackett, Philip Livingston, North Albany Academy, and Stephen & Harriet Myers middle schools in order to offer support with homework, book discussions, writing activities, and group projects.

The program will also allow the Center for Innovation in Career Development (CICD) to work with the school district to develop a series of parent workshops focusing on skills and resources to help students explore career options. The new CICD website, techvalleycareers.org, will provide the platform for information and local community resources.

The Career Development Center's (CDC) component of the GEAR-UP program will focus on providing motivational career development and planning services for the students. The CDC's involvement includes career speakers on various topics, campus tours and career fairs, and seminars designed to help students realize college is an option, and the necessary steps they must take to get there. Discussions will be held to answer the questions: What is College? Is College for Me? What Major is Right for Me?

The Liberty Partnerships Rising Stars Program at the Center for Women in Government and Civil Society provides academic intervention services for students in grades 7-12 who are at risk of dropping out of high school. Located on the downtown UAlbany campus, Liberty Partnership provides services that encourage students to obtain their high school diploma, pursue higher education, and begin workforce preparation.

Principle investigators for the project include Virginia Goatley, associate dean for the School of Education, and Sandra McGarraugh, director of the Center for Innovation in Career Development. Contributions by the Career Development Center are directed by Philippe Abraham, director; Marie Rabideau, associate director; and Sim Covington, junior assistant director/internship coordinator.

Additional partners in the project include UAlbany’s School of Education, CICD, CDC, and Liberty Partnership; as well as four middle schools from the City School District of Albany, the Albany City Council Parent Teacher Association, Capital Region Sponsor-a-Scholar, Inc., Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, and SEFCU.