U-Prep
Reason for Being
The
preparation, achievement and opportunity gaps and the digital divide between affluent
and disadvantaged children are not only major challenges to education in the
USA but exists globally and are inherently a growing threat to international
prosperity and security and antithetical to all hope for a lasting peace and
true safety in our world in the future.
Since
the late 1800’s, Americans have believed in the promise and potential of public
schools to bridge the gap, close the divide, manage diversity, disseminate
knowledge and open the doors of opportunity. However, even today many areas
of the world are severely lacking good public educational and other essential
resources for all children and their families.
Therefore,
many organizations and communities are seeking practical, here-and-now
solutions to assist poor, marginalized, "nontraditional" students and
their families in navigating and negotiating the long, complex, barrier-ridden
journey from elementary school through the completion of some level(s) of
higher education.
Both
experts and lay people alike agree that educational institutions - public and
private work - best to provide equal and quality opportunities for all
children when they develop or are complemented by culturally competent,
coordinated, comprehensive, child-centered, community-based resources and support. Since
the 1990’s, the American Council of Education has called for the immediate
creation of strong community-based education and support wherever it does not
exist.
In
1998, in recognition of the enormous educational, social and health challenges
that disadvantaged children and their families faced in their schools and
communities, Houston Preparatory Academy, a community-based non-profit
educational organization implemented U-Prep, an all-year initiative grounded in
and bridging the domains of community-based, constituent-centered sociological,
social work and educational practice.
Since
its inception, U-Prep, has helped under-served students reach their full
potential through the enhancement of their academic and social skills, the
facilitation of improved educational opportunities, tailored and appropriate
placements and the provision of strong social work guidance and support for
students and their families,
Using
collaborative partnerships and existing resources, U-Prep identifies, prepares
and supports students through enhanced educational and social pathways that
have the ultimate goal of increased self-liberation, a strong sense of
self-determination, movement toward social equity, improved family relations
and cohesion, lasting friendship development, stronger communities and
ultimately an informed and participatory society.
The U-Prep model is highly adjustable, adaptable
and applicable in cross-cultural urban settings in the USA and internationally.
(Click
for a diagram of the U-Prep Model.)
U-Prep provides
its students and families, pre-and in-service teachers and graduate level
social work students with year-round, campus-and community-based experiences
and services:
Academic
preparation (math, science, language arts) coupled with an emphasis on the
development of analytical and decision-making skills
Career
exploration
Community
Service
Life
Skills , drug and violence avoidance and conflict
resolution programming
Guidance,
application assistance and placement to private, vanguard, magnet schools and
institutions of higher education.
Scholarships
and scholarship information
Communication
liaison with education professionals
Higher
education counseling and support
Health
and social services
Case
Management and advocacy
Dovetailing
and referrals to existing community-based programs
Continued
stress and facilitation of strong family involvement and commitment
For more information, please contact us at houprep@aol.com
Helen M. Berger, LMSW. M.Ed. Ed.M.