Academic Intervention and Tutoring
This year over 300 GEAR UP students participated in a presentation on dual credit opportunities through EPCC. Students learned of the benefits of dual credit and were given a checklist with the process for signing up for the courses.

Mentoring continued in schools as Program Guidance Assistants spoke to students on a variety of topics such as test anxiety, top universities, and coping with stress.

Tutoring activities continue to improve at each campus. Tutors worked with students in the classroom and through after school sessions to improve grades as well as prepare for TAKS.

Year 5, 2010-2011, will see continued mentoring with a focus on the college admissions process. Tutoring will also be on-going in the effort to help students stay on track with grades, graduation, and college.

Teacher Professional Development
A full semester of professional development for GEAR UP teachers began with the first ASCD training session on September 8, 2009. ASCD, Association of Supervision, Curriculum and Development, focused the training on Strategies for Success with English Language Learners. Training continued on September 24-25, 2009 and December 11, 2009 with a group of teachers traveling to the ASCD National Teaching & Learning Conference in Washington, DC in October 2009.

The CollegeBoard provided training to teachers and GEAR UP staff on the College ED curriculum that helps students develop the capacity to succeed in college and their futures. This training took place in the GEAR UP Professional Development Center.

New and exciting opportunities for professional development are in the planning stages for our fifth year. It is anticipated that consultants from Solution Tree (Marzano and Company), AHA Process (Ruby Payne) and School Specialty Group will lead the effort during 2010-2011.