GAP/SPTD will use the Rhode Island Department of Transportation funds to help increase the awareness of and an interest in fields within the transportation industry among the young people of color and the disadvantaged youth in the State of Rhode Island.
Intermodal
University of Rhode Island’s
Guaranteed Admissions Program/
Special Programs for Talent Development (GAP/SPTD)
The URI’s GAP/SPTD is a partnership between Guaranteed Admissions Program, Special Programs for Talent Development, and the Alan Shawn Feinsten College of Continuing Education. GAP/SPTD is designed to address several urban school issues: (1) the low number of students who do not graduate or graduate without the necessary college admissions requirements, (2) the high number of dropouts, and (3) the small percentage students of color and economically disadvantaged youth entering post secondary education—particularly URI. Therefore, GAP/SPTD’s mission is to increase the number of students of color and disadvantaged students in Rhode Island high schools admitted to four-year colleges and universities, including the University of Rhode Island. GAP/SPTD students must enroll in college preparatory courses while in high school and maintain at least a C average. Students must participate in tutoring and enrichment activities as well as summer programs offered throughout their high school careers. Students are guaranteed admission to the University of Rhode Island after graduation, upon successful completion of the program. The commitment is formalized by a contract signed by the student, his/her parent(s)/guardian(s), principal of the student’s high school, and the URI Dean of Undergraduate Admissions. These commitments are outlined as follows:
There are 5 structural components to the GAP/SPTD Program—Bridges, Academy, Transportation and Civil Engineering (TRAC), Contract Night, and Academic Advising.
Bridges
A two-week day summer program at the University of Rhode Island for students who have completed the eighth grade and plan to attend the ninth grade. Two of the main objectives of Bridges are: (1) to give students the opportunity to do something of value during the summer that will enrich their lives and prepare them for the academic challenges ahead and (2) to ease the transition from middle school to high school. Courses in math, science, and English are offered, along with a variety of enrichment activities. Students must maintain regular attendance and meet the educational requirements to successfully complete Bridges.
Academy
An intensive four-week summer program for 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. The program is held three days each week from morning to afternoon. It is designed to provide an opportunity to build the skills and self-esteem needed for academic success in demanding courses such as math and science. Students must maintain regular attendance and meet the educational requirements to successfully complete the Academy.
TRAC
“The Transportation and Civil Engineering (TRAC) Program is the hands-on education program of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). TRAC is made available to secondary schools (high schools and junior high schools) through regional centers where the Departments of Transportation (DOTs) work in partnership with other government organizations, universities, non-profit organizations, and private industry. At it's most basic level, TRAC is a program designed for integration into science, math, and social studies classes” (TRAC Website). GAP/SPTD began its partnership with the State of Rhode Island’s Department of Transportation in 2006. The goal of this partnership is to increase the number of students of color and disadvantaged students from in-state pursuing careers in the transportation industry. We will offer programming after-school and in the summer using the DOT’s TRAC PAC, which consists of a computer, electronic data collection and analysis instruments, hands-on modeling materials, and more than three dozen activities based on real-world transportation.
Contract Night
Upon successful completion of the Bridges program, students will be invited to sign a contract in the spring of the academic school year. If students fulfill their responsibilities under this contract, they will be guaranteed admittance to the University of Rhode Island following their high school graduation. The contract will be signed by the Dean of Admissions of the University of Rhode Island, the principal of the hosting school, the parent(s)/guardian(s) and the student. After signing this contract, students are under no obligation to attend the University of Rhode Island, but they have the guarantee of admission should they choose the University and have met the criteria for admission as stated in the contract.
Academic Advising
To ensure the contract is fulfilled, a GAP/SPTD coordinator counselor maintains a presence in the student’s high school. The GAP/SPTD coordinator counselor will meet with students before, during, or after school. The GAP/SPTD coordinator counselor will: (1) Assist students in enrolling in the appropriate courses and advise them throughout their high school experience, (2) assess students’ grades to identify their academic needs, (3) establish and build relationships between the students, teachers, and parents to ensure students success, and (4) organize informational trips to URI campuses as well as other college tours.
Director - Gerald R. Williams
Since 2000, Mr. Williams has been the Director of the Talent Development Program at the University of Rhode Island. Mr. William’s holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication and a master’s degree in Adult Education. He provides leadership for strategic planning and implementation, manages budget, directs and evaluates staff, works with constituents and stakeholders to ensure proper funding, and maintains responsibility for the development of GAP/SPTD reports. Funding is not needed for this position.
Assistant Director - Joanna Ravello
Since 2000, Ms. Ravello has worked as an Academic Advisor in Talent Development Program until her recent promotion to Assistant Director. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a master’s degree in College Student Personnel. She works with the Director to plan, develop, and implement programming, supervises the staff, and creates and coordinates the development of program publications. Funding is not needed for this position.
GAP/SPTD Coordinator Counselor - Deb Veloso Ms. Veloso holds a dual bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and Business Management. She oversees the day-to-day operations of GAP/SPTD at the high schools. She (1) assists students in enrolling in the appropriate courses and advises them throughout their high school experience, (2) assesses students’ grades to identify their academic needs, (3) establishes and builds relationships between the students, teachers, and parents to ensure students success, and (4) organizes informational trips to URI campuses as well as other college tours. Funding is not needed for this position.
DOT Full-time and Part-time Coordinator Counselors
Kevin Smith has been appointed the DOT Full-time Coordinator Counselor. We are currently searching for a DOT Part-time Coordinator Counselor. Coordinator Counselors will oversee the day-to-day operations of GAP/SPTD at the middle and high schools and work in conjunction with the GAP/SPTD staff to develop and implement Department of Transpiration activities. They will (1) assist students in enrolling in the appropriate courses and advises them from 8th–12 grade, (2) assess students’ grades to identify their academic needs, (3) establish and build relationships between the students, teachers, and parents to ensure students success, (4) organize informational trips to URI campuses as well as other colleges and universities, and (5) develop and implement after-school and summer programming using the DOT’s TRAC PAC.
Part-time On-site Program Manager
Sara Potter produces all written material for program (newsletter, informational brochures, applications, correspondences, and monthly grant reports); assists in planning, developing and implementing GAP/SPTD academic year and summer programs; assists in scheduling and coordinating GAP/SPTD special events; assists in overseeing daily program operations, managing and collecting all GAP/SPTD program data (student information, grades, attendance records, demerits, etc.); answers inquiries via telephone or in-person and imparts information regarding programs, policies and services; and assists GAP/SPTD Director and Assistant Director in any capacity needed.
Teachers
Hired each summer and are paid $25 an hour and work up to 100 hours during the summer programs. Teachers plan and implement a program of instruction that adheres to the objectives of the Bridges and Academy Summer Programs, make purposeful and appropriate lesson plans that provide for effective teaching strategies, creates a classroom environment conducive to learning, and encourage student enthusiasm for math and science and the development of good study habits.
N/A
We anticipate that the program will be completed by April 30, 2006; however, we may request a 6-month extension.
$156,256.55
Summer Mentoring Positions and After-School Tutoring Positions are available.
None
None
GAP/SPTD will use the Department of Transportation funds to help increase the awareness of and an interest in fields within the transportation industry among the young people of color and the disadvantaged youth in the State of Rhode Island. Our goal will be to recruit GAP/SPTD students from Rhode Island high schools. Using the Trac Pac, we will offer after-school and summer programming. The benefit is that we endeavor to increase the number of our participants entering college who pursue majors related to transportation, the number of our participants who pursue internships while they are in college in the field of transportation, and the number of our participants who graduate and pursue careers in the field of transportation.
Students of color/disadvantaged students, guaranteed admissions, and summer programs for middle school and high school students.