Project EDGE
Exploration & Determination Guarantees Excellence
What is Upward Bound?
Upward Bound is a federally funded program operating under the guidelines of the United States Department of Education. Upward Bound is designed to identify students interested in attending college and to equip these students with the skills necessary to succeed in college. We attempt to offset academic deficiencies and certain environmental deficiencies through the provision of tutorials, classroom instruction, and educational/cultural activities. In addition, students are exposed to a variety of activities designed to promote early career exploration. A strong emphasis is placed on Math, Writing, Reading, Science, and Study Skills. The University of Central Florida has served as the host institution for the Upward Bound Program since 2017. Currently there are over 700 Upward Bound Programs located at various colleges and universities throughout the country.
Who Attends Upward Bound?
Upward Bound is open to students from all ethnic backgrounds. Most programs are composed of students from both rural and urban areas. High School students who have begun their freshman year but have not entered their senior year are eligible to apply for Upward Bound. The student’s family must be eligible under the income guidelines determined by the United States Department of Education OR meet the potential first-generation criteria. Upward Bound’s administrative staff selects the students who will attend the program. High school students from Edgewater High School are eligible to participate in the University of Central Florida’s Upward Bound Program-Project EDGE.
What are the Project EDGE Program Objectives?
Objective 1: Academic Performance–Grade Point Average (GPA)—58% of participants served during the project year will have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better on a four-point scale at the end of the school year.
Objective 2: Academic Performance on Standardized Test—52% of UB seniors served during the project year will have achieved at the proficient level on state assessments in reading/language arts and math.
Objective 3: Secondary School Retention and Graduation—86% of Project Participants served during the project year will continue in school for the next academic year, at the next grade level, or will have graduated from secondary school with a regular secondary school diploma.
Objective 4: Secondary School Graduation (rigorous secondary school program of study) —63% of all current and prior year UB participants who graduated from high school during the school year with a regular secondary school diploma will complete a rigorous secondary school program of study.
Objective 5: Postsecondary Enrollment—72% of all current and prior UB participants who graduated from high school during the school year with a regular secondary diploma will enroll in a program of postsecondary education by the fall term immediately following high school graduation, or will have received notification by the fall term immediately following high school from an institution of higher education of acceptance but deferred enrollment until the next academic semester (e.g., spring semester).
Objective 6: Postsecondary Completion—72% of participants who enrolled in a program of postsecondary education, by the fall term immediately following high school graduation or by the next academic term (e.g., spring term) as a result of acceptance by deferred enrollment, will attain either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree within six years following graduation from high school.
Hello students, I am Sherrika Ellison, Program Manager of the University of Central Florida TRIO Upward Bound Program-Project EDGE (Exploration & Determination Guarantees Excellence). I wanted to reach out to you as I know this is an experience you did not expect. The spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to create uncertainty and concern both globally and here in our community. The TRIO Upward Bound Program-Project EDGE continues to monitor developments and is prepared to take any new actions that are warranted as new information emerges in this rapidly changing situation.
I know this situation is challenging for everyone in different ways. With the continued uncertainty caused by the rapidly changing 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) issue, we are prepared to implement a plan of action to ensure the protection of our staff and students on a constantly evolving issue. Our goal is that you will be able to focus on your studies, your work, your wellness and your life. My staff and I are here to support you every step of the way. My team has worked extremely hard to provide you with an array of virtual services, programs, and resources that will enable you for success throughout the rest of the semester and beyond.
To you, our graduating seniors, know that the TRIO Upward Bound Program-Project EDGE team and I are aware of how difficult this situation must be, and we want you to know we are here to support you. We are here to provide you with the services necessary for a successful transition to college and have created an easy way to find resources and provide services specifically for you.
The TRIO Upward Bound Program-Project EDGE will continue to deliver services to students to engage student involvement and is offering all of its services virtually in the following areas:
Upward Bound will continue to provide Academic Tutoring available 24/7 to all Upward Bound Students using tutor.com Emphasis will be placed upon students getting the help they need.
Tutor.com is a fully online tutoring service that connects students to tutors 24/7 in more than 40 subjects including Math, Science, Social Studies, English, AP Support, Foreign Languages and Business. Tutoring sessions take placemin an easy-to-use online classroom, which runs in your web browser
E-MAILS WITH STUDENT LOGIN INFORMATION were resent last week directly from tutor.com. Students please check the spam folder in your personal e-mail accounts you provided to Ms. Ellison. Please let Ms. Ellison know if you do not have your login information.
Upward Bound-Project EDGE Scholars will go to the following website to login to our program’s tutor.com page: www.tutor.com/ucfedge
Virtual Academic Advising via zoom is available to all students. Ms. Ellison will continue to meet with students weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ms. Ellison will call and/or schedule meetings with students via the phone and/or using Zoom. We encourage all students and parents to download the app Zoom on your cell phones or sign up online at www.zoom.us We will provide students with Zoom Meeting IDs and Passwords for meetings scheduled.
Zoom is a cloud-based video conferencing service one can use to virtually meet with others either by video or audio-only or both, all while conducting live chats. A Zoom Meeting refers to a video conferencing meeting that’s hosted using Zoom. You can join these meeting via a webcam or phone.
We will continue to provide ACT and SAT online sessions through Kaplan Test Prep. www.kaptest.com
Kaplan Test Prep offers test preparation, practice tests and private tutoring for more than 90 standardized tests.
To sign up for the SAT prep online events please go to the following URL: https://www.kaptest.com/sat/free/events
To sign up for the ACT prep online events, please go to the following URL: https://www.kaptest.com/sat/free/events?event-tab=ACT
UPCOMING SAT PREP CLASS: Thursday, April 9, 2020 “Free SAT Bootcamp”, 6:30pm-8:00pm
Assistance with Financial Aid Applications and questions regarding your FAFSA is available to all students. Ms. Ellison will continue to meet with and follow up with seniors. Ms. Ellison will call and/or schedule meetings with seniors via the phone and/or using Zoom. We encourage all students and parents to download the app Zoom on your cell phones or sign up online at www.zoom.us We will provide students with Zoom Meeting IDs and Passwords for meetings scheduled.
SENIORS: To schedule an appointment please contact e-mail Ms. Ellison at sherrika.ellison@ucf.edu.
We will continue to partner with 8 Cents in a Jar, Ms. Reaves, Founder and Executive Director to offer financial literacy workshops to students online via Zoom. 8 Cents in a Jar was created to ensure future generation have the opportunity to become financially fit regardless of their economic background.
UPCOMING FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOPS are scheduled as follows:
We will continue to prepare our Upward Bound Scholars for Post-Secondary Education via OnTrack to Post-Secondary Education. (www.ontrackpse.com)
OnTrack to Post-Secondary Education is an online e-learning college and career readiness program for high school age students to understand the process of achieving post-secondary education. OnTrack provides students with a step-by-step guide on the college process. OnTrack equips all students with the knowledge and resources to reach their full potential, through some form of Post-Secondary Education. OnTrack provides 9-12th grade students with the knowledge to complete their educational experience through weekly grade-specific video modules. Using the prescribed OnTrack curriculum, students are prepared to apply to post-secondary schools, gain acceptance, and receive financial aid to those schools.
Student sign-up instructions for OnTrack:
Virtual College Tours will be provided to program participants via www.ecampustours.com.
E-campus Tours features 360-degree virtual tours of over 1,300 college campuses. You can use the advanced search to refine your results and find schools that meet your unique criteria.
Live Chats with Admissions Counselors & Expert Presentations
www.collegeweeklive.com
CollegeWeekLive is the leading site where students and colleges meet online. More than 1,200,000 students from 192 countries rely on CollegeWeekLive to help navigate the college admissions process. Founded in 2007, CollegeWeekLive enables students to live chat with admissions representatives and students from hundreds of universities from around the world and to watch presentations from education experts on topics such as passing the TOEFL, obtaining a student visa, choosing a college, and more.
Online Museum Tours will be provided to program participants via Google Arts & Culture https://artsandculture.google.com/partner?hl=en&tab=pop
TED Talks Education (Motivational Speakers)
https://www.ted.com/about/programs-initiatives/ted-talks-education
TED Talks Education features a mix of teachers and education advocates delivering short, high impact talks on the theme of teaching and learning.
All TRIO Upward Bound Program-Project EDGE Workshops will be offered virtually using Zoom.
FACEBOOK is used to connect, motivate and educate our program participants about upcoming programs, updates, upcoming programs and events. Participants can request to join our private Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/ubedge
Facebook is a social networking site that make it easy to connect and share with family, friends, and groups.
INSTAGRAM is used to connect, motivate and educate our program participants about upcoming programs, updates, upcoming programs and events.Participants can follow our Instagram page at: ucf_upwardboundprojectedge
REMIND is used to connect, motivate and educate our program participants about upcoming programs, updates, upcoming programs and events.
Remind is a communication platform that helps educators reach students and parents where they are. Messages are sent in real time to an entire class, a small group, or just a single person. You can schedule announcements ahead of time and attach photos and other files.