Home Special Programs Illinois Steps Ahead

BELIEFS

WE BELIEVE THAT:

  • All people can learn
  • Honesty is necessary to sustain trusting relationships
  • All people have worth
  • A quality education enhances opportunities
  • Faith builds our minds and souls
  • Education is a shared responsibiilty of school, student, family and community
  • Personal discipline and effort are essential to one's success
  • Individuals are responsible for their own choices and actions
  • A caring and nurturing environment is essential to one's health and well-being
  • Individuals are responsible for contributing to their own community
  • Change demands that people learn throughout life
  • Motivation is essential for self-esteem and achievement
  • People have the power to rise above their circumstances 

OBJECTIVES

  • By the end of 2010, 100% of our students will meet or exceed state standards in Math and Reading
  • All students will develop and consistently demonstrate the character traits of respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, honesty, fairness and citizenship
  • Each student will complete a personalized plan in the areas of academics, creative arts and career exploration 

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School Alert

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Illinois Steps Ahead

Name: TBA 

Position: Illinois Steps Ahead Director
Department: Special Programs
Date: 09/14/09

 

Illinois Steps AHEAD (Attaining Higher Education through Academic Development)
GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs)

Bureau of Youth Services and Delinquency Prevention
Division of Community Health & Prevention
Illinois Department of Human Services

Program Description

Target
Illinois Steps AHEAD serves an entire cohort of eligible low income students beginning no later than the seventh grade and follows them through high school graduation.

Purpose
The goal of the program is to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in post-secondary education.

Services
Illinois Steps AHEAD services include tutoring, college visits, ACT/SAT preparation, career exploration, job shadowing, and parent involvement activities. An individual learning plan is developed for each student with teacher and parent input. Parents also participate in family events, college visits, counseling sessions, and workshops for college preparation. IDHS has established a trust fund that will enable the program to provide scholarships to eligible youth upon completion of the program.

Delivery Method
The program is being implemented in connection with the Department's Teen REACH program and the Illinois State Board of Education's 21st Century Learning Center.

Program Effectiveness
* Developed and executed the 2nd annual Student Leadership and Professional Development Conference at the University of Champaign-Urbana with over 200 participants.
* Provided survey administration and programmatic training, in conjunction with the Center for Prevention Research and Development (CPRD) to community providers.
* Provided technical assistance and monitoring to 21 programs regarding programmatic requirements.
* Collected annual performance data and surveys from ISA Gear Up providers.
* Developed and distributed ISA Gear Up best practice models (eCornerstone), curriculums and resources when appropriate.
* Developed promotional and incentive materials for recruitment and retention of students (e.g., student planners, scholarship policy, flyers).

 
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 28 July 2010 10:28 )