ACCOMPLISHMENTS
GEARS' schools indicate that adoption of the GEARS Program leads to a large increase in student achievements in geography, engineering, mathematics, reading and science courses and career and technical education. Reported data also indicate significant increases in the number of students enrolling in postsecondary education either as high school students through dual enrollment or as graduates. This data, which coincide with the implementation of GEARS and Education Development Plans, suggest that career preparation activities have had a positive effect on students' post-secondary enrollment and career preparation. However, without further study to isolate the cause of these increases, it is difficult to attribute these increases solely to the implementation of GEARS and Educational Development Plans.
GEARS students take the same classes as students in district schools. The School uses a University Model so students are able to master one or two subjects at time. All courses are specifically developed to ensure students meet state standards. Courses are sequenced in the same order as those at traditional schools. This facilitates GEARS' mission to re-direct students to traditional schools with the skills that will enable them to achieve a higher level of success. Students returning to traditional school achieve a grade point average approximately one grade point higher than they did before attending GEARS.
GEARS measures a variety of National testing data of students SAT, SAT 9, and State Exams who participate in the GEARS Project. More than 90% of GEARS students graduate from high school and attend colleges and universities. More than two-thirds of teaches who participate in the GEARS Project think GEARS does a better job with basic skills and academic standards. [Teachers Survey 2000-2006]. The top two reasons GEARS students liked the activities are: #1 Good teachers, #2 GEARS Projects are cross-curricular activities. Other strong areas: 27% of students cite the ability to take college classes, 93% say they are doing as well or better at GEARS as they did in other projects [Student Survey 2000-05].
- The percentage of GEARS students scoring at or above the 50th percentile in the Reading portion of the SAT 9 exceeded all comparable other school.
- The percentage of GEARS students scoring at or above the 50th percentile in the Language portion of the SAT 9 exceeded all comparable to alternative programs [with the exception of 10th grade at one school where there were less than one-fourth the number tested].
- The percentage of GEARS students scoring at or above the 50th percentile on the Math portion of the SAT 9 exceeded all comparable to alternative programs [with the exception of 10th grade at one school where there were less than one-fourth the number tested].
- GEARS Students SAT average verbal score of 514 topped the district average of 490, and the national average of 506 in 2001.
- Students who participate in the GEARS Project since third grade (parent choice) scored near a perfect 800 on the verbal portion of the SAT in 1996.
- Students who graduate from high school and who participated in the GEARS Project must do 120 hours of service learning or take two units which may include an internship along with vocational training. This program was cited by the Washington Times as one of the city's Best Practices in 1995.
- 308 Students took GEARS classes in 2002.
- 151 students completed 9,060 hours of service learning in 2005.
- 5% of GEARS students are concurrently enrolled in college courses.
- 90% of GEARS students are currently enrolled in colleges and universities.
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GEARS EDUCATORS MEMBERSHIP
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
GEARS Membership is available to all certified educators and professionals who are interested in integrating GEARS in their classroom activities regardless of ethnicity, gender, creed or national origin, and who agree to comply with the membership agreement as described in the membership application. If you are interested in joining the GEARS integrated classroom click here to request your GEARS membership kit bhs@benjamin-harrison-society.org. You will receive GEARS access once your membership application is processed.
GEARS MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
GEARS K-12 Regular Member benefits :
- Area Conferences
- Attend Annual State Convention & Exposition
- GEARS Monthly Chronicles
- GEARS Online Newsletter
- GEARS Orientation training
- Attend GEARS workshops, forums, professional development classes and online training.
- GEARS Mentor Group
- One online access passcode
- GEARS materials, lesson plans, etc.
- CEU approved certification training at conventions
- State conventions
GEARS Undergraduate/Graduate Membership Benefits :
- All regular member benefits
- Eligible full registration to the Annual GEARS Convention, Forums, and Workshops.
- One online access passcode
GEARS Multiple Membership Benefits :
- All regular and graduate member benefits
- Multiple regular membership benefits
- Multiple Curriculum Development workshops
- Multiple GEARS lesson plans and activities
- Multiple online access passcodes
GEARS CHRONICLES
GEARS supplements Standards for geography, engineering, mathematics, reading and science literacy. The program content for study using GEARS uses classroom activities that are directly linked to recommended courses for grades 5-12 and present a variety of contemporary methods that infuse recent research concerning learning and teaching. GEARS lesson plans provide detailed guidance for teacher preparation and implementation. GEARS plans also include ready-to-duplicate student handouts and questions, with multiple assessment strategies.
GEARS Chronicles is published monthly to provide education news and updates, current trends in geography, engineering, reading mathematics and science education, technology learning activities, and GEARS program articles, etc.
GEARS Chronicles publishes articles of interest to our readers. Topics may include: innovative projects, grants, educators networks, staff development tips, educators integrating GEARS lesson plans into their classroom, and geospatial techniques. Our readers include educators, principals, college/universities professors, geospatial experts, and administrators.
GEARS HOT MONTHLY LESSON PLAN
Space Imagery Techniques:
- NASA maps allows students to access all records in the database which have entries for latitude and longitude by 2.5 ° blocks which allow student to assess the area photographed and cloud cover Student use data to create maps and analyze data using technology. Students enjoy the space imagery techniques classroom activities because they can imagine an astronauts’ ability to see a great distance from such a high altitude.
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