Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search and GEAR UP Programs Slated for Termination By Bush's Budget

Sandra Boham, Assistant Director

Upward Bound/Gear Up

Salish Kootenai College

This week President Bush revealed a long list of domestic programs that will be on the chopping block in his new budget. The impact of the proposed budget hits close to home as approximately 600 local high school and 250 middle school students reservation-wide will be directly affected.

Salish Kootenai College provides services to local high school and middle school students through three of the programs on the list to be eliminated, Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search and GEAR UP. All are programs for high school and middle school students from low income or first-generation college families. These programs are part of what is known as TRIO, a total of eight programs funded through the U.S. Department of Education.

Upward Bound provides opportunities to 80 Flathead Reservation students. Students participate in academic advising, individualized tutoring and receive college entrance and application assistance to help them to graduate from high school and be better prepared for college. GEAR UP provides services to 525 students attending Ronan High School and Two Eagle River School. Educational Talent Search provides services to approximately 250 middle school students reservation-wide.

Salish Kootenai College Upward Bound and GEAR UP programs include a six-week long summer session. The academic component includes math, science, history and English courses. The program also includes elective courses, camping, college campus visitations and social/cultural activities. The program consists of counseling, tutoring, academic enrichment, cultural enrichment, college preparation through college applications and the financial aid process during the academic year.

Eliminating opportunities for our young people could have devastating consequences for our communities as well as our country. Without the support students receive through these programs it would be predictable that we could see a rise in the drop out rate leading to a decrease in the number of productive, taxpaying citizens. Thus, it is important that we, as a nation, continue to invest in our future by investing in our youth. Do not deny our young people the opportunity to tackle the challenges that lie ahead of them. If we deny our youth an education, we are denying ourselves a bright and productive future. Please support funding for the continuation of TRIO programs. Not only will this support benefit the young people that TRIO serves, but each and every citizen of the United States. You can express your support by writing your representatives:

Congressmen:

Dennis Rehberg

Room 516 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Senators:

Max Baucus

Room 511 Hart Senate Building

Washington, DC 20510

Conrad Burns

Room

183 Senate Dirksen Building

Washington, DC 20510