The program out of Central Wyoming College in Riverton serves seven rural middle schools in Fremont County that are among the poorest in the nation. Standardized math test scores increased by 11 percent among students who had participated in GEAR UP study halls and math review nights for just one year, according to program administrators. Students also attended mini courses on college campuses last year to get a feel for college-level work and what instructors expect. Many of the students are more inspired about learning, she said. The kids who came to campus are also so excited about college now.
Technology plays a big role in the program.
Students enjoy that technology links the schools to each other and to colleges. The program is serving about 1,100 seventh and eighth graders in 2000-01, up from about 520 seventh graders last year. About 400 out of the 1,100 youngsters in the program are Native Americans. Four of the seven middle schools are Native American reservation schools. Between 1 percent and 2 percent of the Native American students at those schools have entered and completed college in the past, Salisbury said.