Three education programs threatened

Editor,

The federal budget recently proposed by President Bush recommends eliminating the two high school college-preparatory TRiO programs, Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search, along with another federally funded program, GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs).

Salish Kootenai College has operated an Upward Bound program since 1987 and currently serves 75 Arlee, Charlo, Hot Springs, Polson, Ronan, St. Ignatius, and Two Eagle River high school students each year. SKC Upward Bound provides individualized tutoring and intensive career/college preparation, along with enrichment activities during the school year and a six-week summer program. SKC Upward Bound has established strong relationships with its students, families, and schools.

We are also increasing our success rate of Upward Bound high school graduates who go on to earn post-secondary degrees. As an SKC Upward Bound instructor, I am proud of our participants and our program, and I feel Upward Bound is a crucial component for college success for low-income, first-generation students here on the Flathead Reservation and across the country.

Since 1999, SKC's GEAR UP has helped Ronan Middle and High School and Two Eagle River School purchase new curricular materials along with providing coordinators who provide academic instruction and tutoring, mentoring, campus visitations, and career/college preparation.

The Montana state GEAR UP program also assists students in Charlo and St. Ignatius.

And finally, many middle school and high school students on the Flathead Reservation have the invaluable services of Educational Talent Search available to them through the grant administered in Helena.

All three programs make positive impacts on the lives of many students on this reservation. Without them, I fear that instead of "No Child Left Behind," we will see more students fall through the inevitable cracks.

March 30 is usually the date that the members of the Appropriations Subcommittee in the House of Representatives will submit their funding priorities to the chairperson.

If you would like to voice your opinion on the proposed elimination of Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search, and GEAR UP, please contact the Montana Congressional team before the end of March: Senator Max Baucus, 800-332-6106; Senator Conrad Burns, 800-344-1513; Rep. Dennis Rehberg, 888-232-2626

Joanne Morrow

Niarada