University of Washington State GEAR UP Program
The UW State GEAR UP project represents a partnership between the U.S. Department of Education's Gear Up program and the UW College of Arts and Sciences. The primary goal is to increase enrollment, retention, and graduation among low-income postsecondary students. Among project activities is a series of one-week Summer Institutes during which 1,000 Washington State 6th-12th grade students come to the UW campus, live in the dorms, attend classes, and participate in information sessions on applying, paying and preparing for college.
OEA has evaluated the Summer Institute for several years, assessing the impact of the week-long experience on students and collecting suggestions for improvement. Methods for this evaluation have included a pre- and post-survey for students to document changes in the attitudes and knowledge about college, student focus groups to learn more about students' satisfaction with the program and how it has affected them, and focus groups with student mentors (all UW undergraduates) to discuss program improvement and impact of the program on the Institute attendees, as well as the effect of the program on mentors' own lives and careers. Funding: US Department of Education (DOE).