MEDIA ADVISORY: Fattah to Speak to Roxborough High School Seniors and Kick Off National GEAR UP Week in Philadelphia

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tomorrow, Monday, September 21, Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) will speak to high school seniors at Roxborough High School in Philadelphia to kick off National GEAR UP Week. The seniors are all part of GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs), the nation's most successful college readiness program, and one of Congressman Fattah's earliest legislative achievements.

The Congressman will also release a video in honor of National GEAR UP Week tomorrow; the week-long celebration occurs throughout the United States and encourages members of the GEAR UP community to raise awareness and celebrate the success of the GEAR UP program.

In Philadelphia, GEAR UP supports programming for more than 5,000 students in the School District of Philadelphia. Last fall, the Department of Education awarded Philadelphia $29 million in GEAR UP funds over a seven-year period. The grant is helping to sustain and grow the district's GEAR UP programs at 11 area high schools and 35 feeder elementary schools.

GEAR UP provides six-year grants, administered by the Department of Education, to states and partner organizations that offer critical early college awareness and support activities to students from high poverty backgrounds and their families.  Focusing on entire classes—or cohorts —the program includes mentoring, academic preparation, financial education, and college scholarships to improve access to higher education. Since it's inception, GEAR UP has helped more than 12 million students nationwide.

www.fattah.house.gov

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

Related Links

http://www.fattah.house.gov

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