**2023 GEAR UP State Abstracts**

**GEAR UP Maine RISE (GU-ME RISE) ABSTRACT**

**State:** Maine    

**Applicant Name:**  University of Maine System Acting through University of Maine Farmington 

**Contact Information: Debbie Gilmer, Project Director (****debbie@syntiro.org****, 207-852-0992)**

**Year One Funding:** $4,058,656

**Goal/Objectives**: To significantly increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. (1) Increase the academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education of GU-ME RISE students; (2) Increase the rate of high school graduation and participation in postsecondary education of participating GU-ME RISE students; and (3) Increase education expectations for participating students and increase student and family knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation, and financing.

**Participating Schools and Students to be Served:** GU-ME RISE will apply a hybrid model and will consist of a 7th grade cohort that will begin in Year 1 and will continue to be served through the first year of postsecondary. Priority students will be served in 11th grade, 12th grade and 1st year PSE each year of the grant. 12 LEAs and two Charter Schools from five of the most rural, remote and economically disadvantaged counties in the state will be served. GU-ME RISE will serve 2100 students in Year 1, 2500 students in year 2; 2500 students in year 3; 2600 students in year 4; 1900 students in year 5; 1900 students in year 6 and 1900 students in year 7.

**Additional Partners**: Syntiro, 15 Institutions of Higher Education (including the University of Maine System, the Community College System of Maine, Thomas College and Husson College), Finance Authority of Maine, Xcalibur, Jobs for Maine Graduates, FOCUS Training, SEEDS Training, Rural Aspirations Project, Maine Resilience Building Network, Alfond Youth Center, Worthington Scholarship Foundation, Mitchell Institute, Educate Maine, MELMAC Digital Promise, CANVAS, Let’s Get Ready, Katahdin Higher Ed Center.

**Activities and Services:**GU-ME RISE****will provide support and early intervention services to build the capacity of participating schools and partners using the RISE framework: **R**elevance, **I**nquiry, **S**upports and Equity for all, and **E**xpectations and Aspirations. Cohort and Priority School Specialists will work directly with students, families, educators, community members and partners to provide an array of supportive services which includes: Virtual Career Fairs; Career-Focused College Visits; Workshops with Alumni Guest Speakers; Career Exploration including Job Shadowing & Internships; College & Career Access Planning; Capacity building; professional development for educators; College Access Teams including data literacy; Academic Tutoring/Support; Counseling/Advising/Academic Planning for College & Career; Dual Enrollment Advising and Courses; Scholarships; Financial Aid; Financial Literacy; FAFSA Assistance; Professional development to support math teachers and certification courses for emergency certified educators; SAT Prep; Scholar Coaching and Advising; College Immersion; College Visits; and Family Engagement. LEA services will be guided by district and building level needs assessments to tailor services and support to meet project outcomes. In addition to partners previously identified, GU-ME will participate in local and regional community and economic development efforts through partnerships with the Maine Department of Education, Educate Maine, Maine Spark, Maine Educational Opportunity Association, New England Educational Opportunity Association, Eastern Maine Development Corporation and Maine College Access Network to leverage resources and build mentoring, apprenticeship and internship opportunities.

**GEAR UP Arkansas Abstract**

**Applicant Name**: The **University of Central Arkansas of Conway, Arkansas, will lead GEAR UP Arkansas (GUAR)**, an initiative using Human-Centered Design to improve the academic preparedness, expectations and intent, and to achieve the critical steps for apply to, paying for and enrolling in postsecondary education. 

**Contact Information**: Charlotte Parham crgreen@uca.edu 501 450 5000 

**Project Goals and Objectives:**(1) to increase the academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education of participating students; (2) to increase the rate of high school graduation and participation in postsecondary education of participating students; and (3) to increase education expectations for participating students and increase student and family knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation, and financing. 

The Project Performance Measures are to increase the schools’ graduation rates and decrease remediation rates; increase the number of students who pass the EOY Algebra 1 course exam, increase the number of AP or dual enrollment classes for students, to increase the number of students who attend postsecondary schools; families and students will know and execute the steps to apply for the FAFSA and scholarships; track the average cost of a successful outcome; cohort students will graduate high school meeting the minimum requirement to attend an Arkansas University school; cohort students will know and execute the steps to apply for college, and families and students will understand financial literacy to help close generational wealth gap. 

**GUAR Activities and Services**: *Student Services**--***STEM, advanced placement, computer science, ACT test preparation, tutoring/mentor programs, college campus visits, academic enrichment camps, career counseling, and leadership development *Educator/School Development**--***teacher professional development to increase rigorous secondary school course offerings, Advanced Placement summer institutes, equitable educator’s mindset; and *Family Education**—***financing college and career pathways, family/guardian workshops, family/guardian engagement and empowerment sessions, and FAFSA support/completion. 

**Number of Students Served:**3,467 

**Target Counties:**Hempstead, Lee, Mississippi, Monroe, Phillips, Pulaski, and Ouachita. 

**Target Schools and Free/Reduced Lunch Percentage:**Cloverdale Middle (83.8)%**,**Dunbar Middle (86.4%)**,**J.A Fair (88.1%), Mabelvale (86.6%)**,**Mann Magnet (85.7%)**,**Jacksonville Middle (85.5%)**,**Camden Fairview (86%)**,**Blytheville Middle (69%), Mills Middle (89%), Yerger Junior (80.7%), Helena/West Helena (94%), Marvel/Elaine (96.9%), Brinkley (78%), Lee (90.7%), Hope (80.7%), and Clarendon (98%). 

**Partners:**Arkansas Advanced Initiative for Math and Science, Cambridge Educational Services, College Prep Associates, UCA College of Education, Arkansas Department of Education, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Arkansas Department of Higher Education, and University of Central Arkansas 

**Performance Period**: 7-years; September 2023-July 2030

****

Abstract: GEAR UP New Hampshire

The students to be served by GEAR UP New Hampshire (NH) may have been left behind

because of academic failure, disadvantaged economic backgrounds, or both. GEAR UP NH

seeks to make changes by implementing programs, policies, and professional development that

will increase the postsecondary and subsequent career success of students who do not enjoy the same educational opportunities and benefits as their higher-income peers. To close the state’s equity gaps, GEAR UP NH will implement a comprehensive and systemic approach targeted to those students, families, and schools in the state that have the highest academic and economic needs.

The project will follow 4,212 students across three cohorts of middle school students 5th,

6th and 7th grades in fifteen middle schools across twelve school districts, which feed into fifteen

high schools. Students will be followed for seven years though their secondary education into

college. The target schools include: Berlin Middle School in the Berlin School District;

Stewartstown Community School in the Stewartstown School District; Franklin Middle School

in the Franklin School District; Laconia Middle School in the Laconia School District; Lisbon

Regional School (Middle) in the Lisbon Regional School District; Henry J McLaughlin Middle

School, Hillside Middle School, Middle School at Parkside and Southside Middle School, all in

the Manchester School District; Pennichuck Middle School in the Nashua School District;

Newport Middle School in the Newport School District; Pittsfield Middle School in the Pittsfield

School District; Somersworth Middle School in the Somersworth School District; Henry Wilson

Memorial School in the Farmington School District.

GEAR UP NH project aims to empower students and their families by fostering success

through GEAR UP college readiness services. These services are designed to lead to better life

outcomes through service implementation focused on these three core goals: 1) early academic

readiness, 2) career exploration and dual enrollment, and 3) postsecondary persistence. To

fulfill these evidence-based objectives, GEAR UP NH has identified services that offer multiple

pathways towards the enrollment, persistence, and completion of postsecondary outcomes, as

well as foster positive post-college outcomes for students. Activities and services to be

implemented that will meet these goals include: including academic tutoring/support; expanding out-of-school time and summer programming; implementing a career/college readiness system; creating family engagement/outreach programs to promote college and financial aid awareness; delivering financial literacy workshops; offering college visits; providing internships, apprenticeships and career exploration activities with a focus on in demand industry sectors; promoting dual credit coursework; increasing enrollment in AP courses; providing college application and FAFSA support, and postsecondary transition supports.

Campus Compact for New Hampshire is the lead applicant and fiscal agent for GEAR UP NH and is located in Concord, NH. Stakeholders from the districts and communities collectively developed the project design. Partners for the project are: participating school districts, the NH College & University Council, Campus Compact for NH and NH Scholars. A qualified team will evaluate the project with a focus on formative, ongoing evaluation, an evidence-based research study, and a quasi-experimental summative evaluation design that includes a carefully matched comparison group.

Contact Information: Stephanie Lesperance, 603-223-2302, lesperance@compactnh.org

*Office of the State Superintendent of Education | GEAR UP Project Abstract*1 

**Applicant name:**District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education 

**City, State:**Washington, District of Columbia 

**Contact Information:**Christina Beal, Director, College and Career Readiness, 

christina.beal@dc.gov , (202) 247-6390. 

**Project goals and objectives:**Through a grant to DC-CAP, the DC GEAR UP project will provide academic and socio-emotional coaching to 480 students attending eight Title I middle schools in Wards 7 and 8, and to continue to provide support to these students through middle school and high school. The goals of the project are to encourage students to complete high school and enroll in and be successful in postsecondary education. Key outcomes include the percentage of students taking Algebra 1 by ninth grade, the percentages of students completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the percentage of students graduating high school and the percentage of students enrolling in postsecondary education. 

**Activities and services:**College and Career Ready Coaches, housed at DC-CAP, will provide academic and socio-emotional support to students to encourage students to take rigorous courses that prepare them for college and to teach students life-skills that will enable them to be successful in college and beyond. Drawing on the importance of experiential learning, the project includes funding for college tours as well as local activities and events designed to expand students’ cultural knowledge and social capital. The project includes the provision of interactive workshops for families as well as students, to support their knowledge of postsecondary options, preparedness, and financing. In addition, the DC GEAR UP project will provide $11K scholarships to participating students each year for their first two years in college. All students in the target schools will benefit from the wide array of college and career programming offered by OSSE. Many of the family workshops offered by DC GEAR UP will be open to all parents in the target schools. 

**Number of students to be served:**480 students will be identified as DC GEAR UP participants. 

**Target Schools:**Target schools are eight Title I middle schools in Wards 7 and 8. These are middle schools that have the highest rates of at-risk students and that have high rates of chronic absenteeism. 

• DCPS: Excel Academy, Hart Middle School, Johnson Middle School, Kelley Miller Middle School, Kramer Middle School, and Sousa Middle School 

• Friendship Public Charter School: Blow Pierce Middle School, Southeast Middle School 

**Partners:**DCCAP, District of Columbia Public Schools**,**Friendship Public Charter Schools, DCCAP, Ed Northwest (evaluator) 

**Performance Period:**FY2023-2024 thru FY2028-2029

****

**Abstract**

**Project Title:**GEAR UP Achieve: Empowering Alabama’s Next Generation 

**Applicant Name: Auburn University**

**State:**Alabama 

**Contact Information:**Dr. Jason C. Bryant**,**jasconcbryant@auburn.edu**,**334-844-4103 

**Goal:**To significantly increase the number of low-income students prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. 

**Objectives:**

1. Increase access to rigorous coursework that prepares students for postsecondary education. 

2. Engage and assist students completing critical steps for postsecondary education entry. 

3. Develop and implement an integrated advising program to build and support postsecondary education aspirations. 

4. Increase college funding awareness and help students within partner districts successfully navigate the financial aid process. 

**Activities:**Visits to IHE campuses, GEAR UP week, Summer Reading Institute, Mindfulness, Campus-Based Programs, College Advising, FAFSA workshops, Black Belt Legacy Camp, Dual Enrollment, College application and scholarship assistance, Summer Bridge Services 

**Number of Students to be Served:**6514 

**Target Schools:**

Collinsville School 

Crossville Middle 

Fyffe High School 

Geraldine School 

Henagar Jr. High 

Ider School 

Plainview School 

Ruhuma Jr. High 

Sylvania School 

Valley Head High 

North Sand Mountain 

Duton Elementary 

Flat Rock School 

Hollywood Elementary 

Macedonia School 

Pisgah School 

Rosalie Elementary 

Sec􀆟on High 

Skyline High 

Stevenson Middle 

Woodville High 

Choctaw County High 

Southern Choctaw County High 

Robert Brown Middle 

Aus􀆟n Jr. High 

Aliceville High School 

York West End Jr. High 

Livingston Jr. High 

Kinterbish Jr. High 

Bush Hills STEAM Academy 

Chris􀆟an School 

Green Acres Middle 

Hayes K-8 

Hudson K-8 

Huffman Middle 

Inglenook School 

Phillips Academy 

Putnam Middle-Magnet 

Mitchell Middle 

Smith Middle 

South Hampton 

Washington 

Jones Valley Middle 

Wilkerson Middle 

Lowndes County Middle 

Hayneville Middle 

Southlawn Middle 

Bellingrath Middle 

McKee Middle 

Brewbaker Middle 

Goodwyn Middle 

Capitol Heights Middle 

Dunbar-Ramer 

Robert C. Hatch 

R.B Hudson STEAM Academy 

Camden School of Arts and Technology 

Barbour County High 

Admiral Moorer Middle 

South Highlands Middle 

John P Powell Middle 

Loachapoka High 

Beulah High 

Tuskegee Ins􀆟tute Middle 

Notasulga High 

Southside Middle 

Russell County Middle 

Wilson Hall Middle 

Jackson Middle 

J F Shields High 

Monroeville Middle 

Fruitdale High 

McIntosh High 

Greenville Middle 

Conecuh County Jr. High 

Lyeffion Jr. High 

Repton Jr. High 

Thurgood Marshall 

Brantley High School 

Highland Home School 

Luverne High School 

Escambia County Middle 

W S Neal Middle 

Abbeville High 

Banks School 

Pike County High 

**Partners:**

Auburn University, Alabama Regional Inservice Centers, AMSTI Centers, Alabama College Systems, Region Bank, Alabama Commission on Higher Education, Alabama Community College System, Regions Bank, Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama, College Admissions Made Possible, Alabama Possible, CoBro Consulting 

**Performance Period – October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2030**

# image1.png