# Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)

# FY 2016 Project Abstracts for State and Partnership Grants

## FY 2016 GEAR UP State Abstracts

### Abstract 1

**PR Award Number:**P334S160013

**Grantee:**Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance

**Year One Funding:**$3,500,000

**State:**Louisiana****

**Director’s Name:**Tireka Cobb

**Telephone Number:**225-219-0921

**E-mail Address:**tireka.cobb@la.gov

The Louisiana GEAR UP (LA GEAR UP) will help targeted schools increase the number of low-income, low-performing students who enroll and succeed in college through the priority and cohort models.  The LA GEAR UP project will implement research-based strategies and a combination of academic and non-academic project services, such as near-peer mentoring, academic-year clubs, summer programming, tutoring, remediation, advanced placement, dual enrollment, campus field trips, and college preparation/financial aid information sessions for students and families.  Some specific project objectives include:  Improve the transition of the middle grades to high school through summer programming focused on the 9th grade transition; Reduce the need for remedial studies in high school by identifying at-risk students and providing them with additional instruction and support in mathematics and reading so students can enter high school prepared for the 9th grade; increase the number of students who complete the 9th grade; increase the number of students who pass Algebra I by the end of 9th grade; increase the number of students who take two years of mathematics beyond Algebra I by the 12th grade; increase the percentage of students completing dual credit coursework; increase the percentage of students completing AP coursework and taking related tests; increase the number of students who have a clear postsecondary path in mind and know how to reach their goals; and increase the number of students who matriculate in the fall following graduation by reducing Summer Melt via near-peer mentoring.

Proposed Number of Students:  Both cohort and priority models will serve a total of 7,300 students each year.

Target Schools:  A priority model will operate in two small Northern Louisiana schools, Ebarb School and Zwolle High School, which has a large percentage of students who are part of the state-recognized Choctaw-Apache population.  The project will also serve ReNEW Accelerated High School in New Orleans, which serves over-aged, under-credited students.  

Partners:  Louisiana Department of Education, the Louisiana Board of Regents, the University of Louisiana System, Xavier University, the Louisiana Workforce Education Initiative, Southwest Louisiana Health Education Center, and targeted schools/districts. 

### Abstract 2

**PR Award Number:**P334S160016

**Grantee:**Illinois Student Assistance Commission

**Year One Funding:**$2,657,200

**State:**Illinois

**Director’s Name:**Jacqueline Moreno

**Telephone Number:**847-948-8500 

**E-mail Address:**jacqueline.moreno@isac.illinois.gov

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission GEAR UP (ILGU) project will consist of seven components:  promotion of non-cognitive skill development and pro-college behaviors; academic preparation/remediation prevention; college and career exploration; college admission, and application and FAFSA completion; successful transitions from middle school through college; family engagement; and school enrichment/capacity building.  The ILGU project goals and objectives are to:  

1) increase students completion of GPRA target math courses annually; 

2) increase the percentage of students achieving a PARCC score of three or higher in math annually;

3) increase the percentage of students achieving ACT College Readiness benchmarks;

4) increase the percentage of students who utilize the community college system  to minimize remediation and/or minimize time to degree;

5) increase the percentage of students who are on track to graduate at the end of each academic year;

6) increase the percentage of students who enroll in a postsecondary institution and are on track to graduate;

7) increase the percentage of students who demonstrate observable early college-going behaviors;

8) increase the percentage of students who complete college and career exploration milestones;

9) increase the percentage of students who complete critical steps in the college application and financial aid process in a timely fashion; and 

10) increase the percentage of schools participating in professional- and parent-targeted programming services.

Proposed Number of Students:

Target Schools:  Central JR; Century JR/SR; Edison JR; Eisenhower Middle; Freeport Middle; Glenview Middle; Harrisburg Middle; Herrin Middle; Hoopeston Area Middle; JFK Elementary; Kennedy Middle; Lincoln JR; Massac JR; Mattoon Middle; Meridian Elementary; Monmouth-Roseville JR; Mt. Carmel Middle; North Mac Middle; Rock Falls Middle; Shawnee JR; South View Middle; Sparta-Lincoln Middle; Stephen Decatur Middle; Vandalia JR; and Zadok Casey Middle.

Partners:  Education Systems Center, Northern Illinois University; Illinois Board of Higher Education; Illinois Community College Board; Center for College Access and Success, Northeastern Illinois University; and Advance Illinois.

### Abstract 3

**PR Award Number:**P334S160021****

**Grantee:**Campus Compact for NH on behalf of NH College and University Council

**Year One Funding:**$1,629,213

**State:**New Hampshire

**Director’s Name:**Thomas Horgan

**Telephone Number:**603-225-4199

**E-mail Address:**horgan@nhcuc.org

The New Hampshire College & University Council (NHCUC) will oversee the GEAR UP NH project.  Three regions of the state will be targeted representing some of the neediest students in rural and low-income regions.  The project will implement a dual strategy by employing a whole school approach as well as targeting a 7th grade cohort with the most need in each region.  The long term objectives include: 1) increase opportunities for New Hampshire’s underrepresented students to access higher education; and 2) create pathways for New Hampshire’s underrepresented students to increase retention and ease transitions from high school to postsecondary education.  

1) To make progress towards these long term outcomes, the project will focus on research-based programming as follows:

2) To build an academic bridge between high schools, businesses and colleges in New Hampshire to better prepare students for success in college by expanding the New Hampshire Scholars program statewide. Additionally, GEAR UP NH will provide opportunities for low-income students to develop the non-cognitive skills critical for accessing higher education;

3) To create a college going culture in New Hampshire so that every student embraces the idea that college is possible;

4) To design an academic model that aligns K-12 and higher education academic content expectations to increase college enrollment and preparedness; and

5) To develop and sustain a local and statewide commitment from businesses, high schools colleges and parents to make New Hampshire students college ready.

Proposed Number of Students Served:   13,132 students through outreach activities and 585 students through targeted programming and ongoing support in Year One.

Partners:  New Hampshire Scholars, the New Hampshire Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, Campus Compact for New Hampshire, and the thirty one New Hampshire school districts representing three selected underserved regions. 

### Abstract 4

**PR Award Number:**P334S160023

**Grantee:**Purdue University

**Year One Funding:**$3,500,000

**State:**Indiana

**Director’s Name:**Carla Johnson

**Telephone Number:**765-494-2341

**E-mail Address:**carlacjohnson@purdue.edu

The goal of the Indiana GEAR UP (IN GEAR UP) project is to significantly increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education through targeted partnerships with rural and urban school corporations and growing statewide capacity to support student successful progress across grades 7-13 in Indiana.  The objectives of IN GEAR UP are to: 

1. increase academic performance and preparation;

2. increase high school graduation and postsecondary education enrollment rates;

3. increase students’ and families’ knowledge of postsecondary options, preparation, and financing, and

4. grow statewide capacity to support college and career readiness and postsecondary access and success.

The IN GEAR UP project will leverage existing infrastructure and will focus on the development of academic interventions and supports, coupled with further establishing statewide support systems through new partners to ensure Indiana youth are prepared academically and also have the guidance to ensure college fit and success.  Project Services will include: career readiness and academic interventions, advising, postsecondary planning, early credit, access to challenging curriculum, capacity building (local and state), college visits, summer bridge programs, scholarships, financial aid information and literacy, mentoring, parent involvement, test preparation, tutoring, social media as a vehicle for connecting Indiana youth and for awareness, and a higher education support system.

Proposed Number of Students:  7,000 students in the cohort and approximately 70,000 students per grade level through the statewide aspect of the program (grades 7-12). 

Target Schools – Wilson Middle School, McGary Middle School, Maple Crest Middle School, Dubar Middle School, Techumseh Middle School, Heritage Junior/Senior High  School, Stony Brooks Middle School, Parkview Middle School, Parkview Middle School, Crawford County Middle School.

Partners – Kokomo School Corporation, Lafayette School Corporation, Gary School Corporation, East Allen School Corporation, Greater Clark County Schools, Crawford County Schools, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation, Community Schools of Frankfort, Muncie School Corporation, and MSD Warren School Corporation.  The partners on Indiana GEAR UP include the target school corporations listed above, as well as Purdue University, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, the Indiana Department of Education, 92 Purdue County Extension Offices, nine Indiana Educational Services Centers, and Conexus.

### Abstract 5

**PR Award Number:**P334S160030

**Grantee:**Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia

**Year One Funding:**$3,000,000

**State:**Georgia

**Director’s Name:**Rebecca Jean-Baptiste 

**Telephone Number:**404-962-3136

**E-mail Address:**Rebecca.JeanBaptiste@usg.edu

The purpose of the Georgia GEAR UP (GaGU) Project is to increase the number of Georgia eligible low-income students and high need students, including those with disabilities, who obtain a secondary school diploma and are prepared for and succeed in postsecondary education.

GaGU, coordinated through the Governor’s Office, has a statewide scope with a specific focus on two distinct models:  (1) The Cohort model will operate in districts that have high levels of poverty, high numbers of homeless students and high numbers of students in foster care.  The project will follow all Cohort students from grade 7 through their first year of college; (2) The Priority model targets homeless, children in foster care, and high need children who are referred to as Priority students.  Priority students of high school ages (10th grade, 11th grade, and 12th grade) will be identified and recruited across 15 counties in Georgia. All GaGU students will be provided with supportive services to help them receive their high school diploma, prepare for and enroll in postsecondary education and support through their first year of college. 

Program objectives: 

1. Increase the academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education for GaGU students; 

2. Increase the rate of high school graduation and participation in postsecondary 

education for GaGU students; and 

3. Increase the educational expectations for GaGU students’ and increase student and family knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation and financing. 

Proposed Number of Students:  Over 12,000 students across 20 districts and 42 cohort schools.

## FY 2016 GEAR UP Partnership Abstracts

### Abstract 6

**PR Award Number:**P334A160031****

**Grantee:**Washington State University

**Year One Funding:**$3,732,000

**State:**Washington

**Director’s Name:**Genoveva Morales 

**Telephone Number:**509-372-7308****

**E-mail Address:**gmorales@earlyoutreach.wsu.edu

The Harvest of Hope GEAR UP project will increase the number of students graduating high school, preparing for college admissions and successfully completing postsecondary education.  Using a strategic planning process, the project selected culturally appropriate, evidence-based strategies and services that respond to the needs of the target students, parents and schools.  The GEAR UP partners will implement the Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID), which supports and encourages students taking rigorous curriculum and provides college readiness activities.  Texas Instruments’ MathForward Program will improve student’s math skills to prepare them for high school and college.  Before, during, and after school tutoring programs will be offered to support students’ academic achievement in Math, Science and Language Arts.  Summer course remediation and/or Pre-Algebra courses will also be offered to students.  Partners will provide a range of college readiness activities including information, assistance and workshops for students and parents on study skills, planning and time management, financial preparation for college attendance, financial aid programs, admission requirements (SAT/ACT test taking, application completion and deadlines); college selection (best fit criteria, campus visits and career exploration).  

The project objectives are to:

1) Increase students’ knowledge about financial aid to 95 percent;

2) Increase percentage of 8th graders completing Algebra I to 65 percent, 

3) Increase percentage of students completing advanced courses in Math, Science and English by 25 percent;  

4) Increase percentage of students taking the PSAT to 55 percent; 

5) Increase percentage of students taking the SAT to 75 percent; 

6) Increase students’ combined SAT test scores to 1545; 

7) Increase students’ composite ACT test scores to 23.7;

8) Increase percentage of students graduating high school to 90 percent; 

9) Increase percentage of students passing the state Math exam to 57 percent; 

10) Increase percentage of students passing the state Science exam to 68 percent; 

11) Increase the percentage of students completing college applications and the FAFSA to 95 percent; 

12) Increase percentage of students enrolling and completing their first year of postsecondary education to 85 percent.

Proposed Number of Students:  4,665****students annually for seven years through high school graduation and their first year in college. 

Partners:

1. Higher Education Institutions: Washington State University, Big Bend Community College, Walla Walla Community College and Columbia Basin College; 

2. Schools: Bridgeport, College Place, Dayton, Kennewick, Moses Lake, Othello, Prescott, Soap Lake, Touchet, Walla Walla and Warden School Districts; 

3. Community Organizations: Texas Instruments, SureScore and Apex Learning. 

### Abstract 7

**PR Award Number:**P334A160091****

**Grantee:**Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 4

**Year One Funding:**$819,938

**State:**California

**Director’s Name:**Judy Burton

**Telephone Number:**213-943-4930

**E-mail Address:**jburton@laaliance.org

The goals and objectives of the GEAR UP project that will be administered by the Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 4 are:  

Goal 1- increase the academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education of GEAR UP students; with objectives to: increase performance in courses aligned to rigorous standards, and on new state assessments; increase percentages of students in advanced coursework, and students on track and graduating in four years.

Goal 2- increase the rate of the high school graduation and increase successful enrollment and participation in postsecondary education of GEAR UP students; with objectives to: increase college preparedness and performance on college readiness assessments; mentor and tutor students from grade 7 through postsecondary; increase college enrollment with fewer students needing remediation; increase college persistence and completion; 

Goal 3 - increase student and family involvement in preparation for postsecondary education; with objectives to:  provide a comprehensive system for students and families to increase aspirations and expectations, learn, plan (including finances), prepare for and complete college; 

Goal 4 - create capacity to evolve and sustain partnerships that increase and improve student outcomes; with objectives to: grow partnerships and collaborations, and develop site leaders. 

Proposed Number of Students:  1,025 in Years 1-4; 1,000 in Year 5 and 6; 855 in Year 7 

Target Schools and Partners : Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 4 (Lead Agency), Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 5, Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 7, Alliance Jack H. Skirball Middle School, Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 12, Alliance Gertz-Ressler/Merkin 6-12 Complex, Alliance Ouchi-O’Donovan 6-12 Complex, Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Technology Academy HS, Alliance Susan & Eric Smidt Technology HS, Alliance Renee & Meyer Luskin HS, Alliance Cindy & Bill Simon Technology HS, Alliance Patti & Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy, Alliance Gertz-Ressler/Merkin 6-12 Complex,  and Alliance Ouchi-O’Donovan 6-12 Complex.

### Abstract 8

**PR Award Number:**P334A160121****

**Grantee:**Palomar Community College District

**Year One Funding:**$1,190,400

**State:**California

**Director’s Name:**Calvin One Deer Gavin

**Telephone Number:**750-744-1150 

**E-mail Address:**onedeer@palmar.edu

The Palomar College (PC) GEAR UP Rural Collaborative will serve the school districts of North County San Diego that are more rural areas, and include five tribal reservations. The geographic areas/schools are often overlooked or too small to secure federal funding, on their own.

This PC GEAR UP rural collaborative was conceived about two years ago, in meetings among local K-12 educators and college faculty/staff, seeking to address the academic and higher education needs of the very diverse populations and schools in this vast area of the PC district.  PC GEAR UP rural collaborative will serve four school districts and eight schools. The rural areas are near Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton and stretch inland 70 miles to five reservations of the California Luiseno American Indians, through mountains, hills, valleys and large plots of agricultural lands, and past burgeoning suburbs. 

The target area lies in a rapidly changing demographic and ever-increasing population area, North of the Mexican border and South of Los Angeles/Riverside, California. The PC GEAR UP will have four middle schools, which combined have 83 percent Free & Reduced Lunch students.

PC GEAR UP will implement a dual cohort model, serving all 6th and 7th graders, students in the Classes of 2020 and 2021.  A seventh year is included to serve the GEAR UP graduates in Cohort 1 through a successful first-year college experience.

Using the theory of Social Capital, PC GEAR UP will utilize the federal GEAR UP objectives as the driving force to intensely manage the incremental milestones and indicators for student achievement based on innovative interventions, and GEAR UP proven Activities, Programs, Events, and Services (APES). An intensive evaluation process that includes baseline data, statistical benchmarks, and projected student outcomes will be conducted formatively and annually, to continually analyze the degree to which interventions are leading to data-based progress with the PC GEAR UP objectives and student achievements.

### Abstract 9

**PR Award Number:**P334A160163****

**Grantee:**Nassau Community College District

**Year One Funding:**$903,200

**State:**New York

**Director’s Name:**Marilyn Monroe

**Telephone Number:**516-572-3573

**E-mail Address:**marilyn.monroe@ncc.edu

The Nassau Community College GEAR UP (NCC GEAR UP) goal is to increase the number of Hempstead students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education, over the six years of the grant award cycle through intensive, individualized and coordinated support that includes academic immersion, a challenging curriculum, STEM, dual enrollment, tutoring, mentoring, counseling, professional development, family outreach, college visits, and a rites of passage program.  NCC GEAR UP will engage parents as partners in its work to champion student learning and raise achievement. NCC GEAR UP is committed to ensuring that this  cohort of Black (39 percent) and Hispanic (61 percent) students are well educated, not only academically, but educated in a way that deeply roots them in their various cultures, making certain that they will be confident in who they are and who they will become in the future.

Target Schools:  Alverta B. Gray Schultz Middle School and Hempstead High School. 

Proposed Number of Students:  6774 over the six-year performance period. 

Partners:  Renaissance Downtowns, LLC, Long Island Council of Churches, Sunz of Sankofa, Hispanic Civic Association, Cradle of Aviation Museum, Long Island STEM Hub, and DREAM Magazine.  Each of the partners has a clear sense of the needs and future priorities, a plan to strengthen capacity, and an explicit strategy for change management. 

NCC, the lead agency, is the largest community college in the State of New York and is the 10th largest single-campus community college in the United States, serving nearly 24,000 students annually on its 225-acre Garden City campus.  The College’s commitment to excellence is unwavering, as demonstrated by the exceptional outcomes of its 1999 and 2008 GEAR UP grants with the Westbury and Uniondale School Districts, where at both, high school graduation and college enrollment rates soared.  Nassau Community College, in partnership with the Hempstead School District, will unfurl design innovation, with unique components, interwoven enrichment activities and rewarding incentives that will lift students to higher academic heights. 

### Abstract 10

**PR Award Number:**P334A160165

**Grantee:**Thomas University

**Year One Funding:**$426,141

**State:**Georgia

**Director’s Name:**Melanie Martin

**Telephone Number:**229-227-6929

**E-mail Address:**mmartin@thomasu.edu

The Thomas University GEAR UP program leverages the strengths of its partners to provide rural 5th and 7th grade students with the services necessary to prepare them for college study. The GEAR UP program will provide students with math coaching, counseling, dual enrollment programs, Summer Bridge program, critical information regarding financial aid and college entry requirements. 

Parents and teachers will also benefit from the programs.  Parents will receive:  Parent/Student Conferences; workshops; support groups; and Family Reading Nights.  Teachers will be empowered by a professional development program that recognizes them as experts in mathematics, reading, language art and reading.  With training from the College Board, target school teachers will receive work to align Pre-AP and AP curriculum.  They will meet in learning communities to address classroom issues that may affect student learning. 

Proposed Number of Students:  25,848 over the seven-year performance period.

Target Schools:  MacIntyre Park Middle School 6-8; Thomasville High School 9-12; 

Thomas County Middle School 5-8, Thomas County Central High School 9-12; Bishop Hall Charter School 9-12; Whigham Elementary School PK-8; Washington Middle School 6-8; Cairo High School 9-12; West Bainbridge Middle School 7-8; and Bainbridge High School.

Partners:  The Thomasville City, Thomas County, Grady County and Decatur County Boards of Education; The College Board, Joshua’s Promise, So Empowered, DOVE, One on One Mentoring, 100 Black Men, Relief for the Street, Southwest Georgia Regional Educational Service Agency, Bishop Hall Charter School, Boston Summer Outreach, Project Excel, The Young Marines and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Thomasville and Cairo.  Utilizing the strengths of its partners will enable the Thomas University GEAR UP program meet its goal of exposing students to college early. 

11/22/2016

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