GEAR UP Architect Releases Video Message to Celebrate National GEAR UP Week

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-02), architect of GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) released a video statement commemorating National GEAR UP Week. The week-long event encourages the GEAR UP community to raise awareness and champion the ongoing success of the college preparedness program.

"What we need to do this week is to reinforce the community investment and buy-in, and let people know about our [GEAR UP] programs," Congressman Fattah said in his statement. "Like here in Philadelphia, we have 35 schools, thousands of young people, who are now launching in to our new GEAR UP grant."

Introduced by Congressman Fattah, and signed into law by President Clinton in 1998, GEAR UP has helped more than 12 million students nationwide and has earned accolades for its approach and emphasis on using best practices in preparing students from low-income backgrounds for college. GEAR UP funding from the Department of Education supports programming for more than 5,000 students in the School District of Philadelphia.

Congressman Fattah also thanked the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) for their role in sustaining the GEAR UP program and engaging the student and stakeholder community.

"NCCEP, through its work, has done so much to promote and maintain GEAR UP, it would not be possible to celebrate National GEAR UP Week and the success of it without them," Fattah said.

The full video statement can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgYmwMkxrZw&feature=youtu.be

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

Related Links

http://www.fattah.house.gov