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Kutztown University and Allentown School District to Announce Upward Bound Partnership

Kutztown, PA (07/06/2017) — Kutztown University and the Allentown School District will announce a new partnership through an Upward Bound grant on Tuesday, July 11, at 11 a.m. in the president's board room, third floor, Stratton Administration Building. Announcing the partnership will be Dr. Kenneth Hawkinson, president, Kutztown University; Dr. Anne Zayaitz, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, Kutztown University; Thomas Parker, superintendent, Allentown School District and David Wildonger, acting deputy superintendent, Allentown School District.

KU was recently awarded a grant from the U. S. Dept. of Education to operate an Upward Bound program with Allentown's William Allen High School. The project will have 60 participants per year from William Allen. The grant award is for five years at $257,500 per year, and the program begins Sept. 1.

Academic year activities will consist of after-school tutoring, supplemental instruction and skills development. Activities will include information on financial literacy; financial aid and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid; career planning and exploration; attending college using "Realizing the College Dream" curriculum; standardized testing preparation; education on the college application process; discussions with colleges and college students (college visits); and cultural awareness activities.

The summer program will have instruction in a variety of subjects and to better prepare students for standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT and Keystone.

Students will receive additional information to assist with the college application process. For seniors who look to attend college, the program will offer services to address the tasks needed to get ready for college such as paperwork, navigating the college's web portal, housing issues, placement exams and financial issues - including financial and college literacy.

Upward Bound, which emerged out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The program provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits.

To be eligible for the program, students must have completed the 8th grade, be between the ages of 13 and 19 and have a need for academic support in order to pursue a program of postsecondary education. All students must be either from low-income families or be potential first-generation college students. The program requires that two-thirds of the participants in a project must be both low-income and potential first-generation students. The remaining one-third must be either low-income, first-generation college students or students who have a high risk for academic failure.

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Kutztown University and the Allentown School District will announce a new partnership through an Upward Bound grant on Tuesday, July 11.

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