MOVING FORWARD: New GEAR UP OPPORTUNITIES

PROGRAM OVERVIEW GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) was enacted as part of the 1998 Higher Education Act to give more low-income students the skills, encouragement, and preparation to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Program services are specifically designed to support schools with 51 percent or more of its student population in the Free/Reduced Lunch Program.

PROGRAM FUNDING  GEAR UP funds are provided through the United States Department of Education for State grants and local partnership projects. Federal funds allocated through GEAR UP must be matched on a one-to-one basis by institutions and partners in the State.  More than $3 billion in federal funds have been awarded by Congress to serve over 12 million students in 49 States, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the District of Columbia.

CALIFORNIA STATE GEAR UP GRANT THE GOVERNOR: As a State Grant, the Governor has the authority to designate its administrative and fiscal agent. THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA: Selected by the Governor to administer the GEAR UP grant. CALIFORNIA EDUCATION ROUND TABLE: Designated by the Governor to provide policy direction for the GEAR UP grant.

The California Education Round Table Executive leaders of all California educational sectors: Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities California Community Colleges California Department of Education California Postsecondary Education Commission California State University University of California

PROGRAM GOAL To develop and sustain the organizational capacity of middle schools to prepare all students for high school and higher education through a statewide network of support for adults who influence middle school students, specifically their counselors, faculty, school leaders and families. As a result of this expanded capacity, a higher proportion of students, particularly from backgrounds and communities that have not historically pursued a college education, will enroll and succeed in higher education.

MODEL OF COLLABORATION GEAR UP stipulates that middle schools, higher educational institutions, community organizations, and the private sector must collaborate to ensure that ALL students prepare for college. This mandate recognizes that all sectors of our society share responsibility for ensuring ALL Students learn the skills, knowledge, and competencies they will need to compete in the global marketplace.

PROGRAM PARTNERS ACT Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) California Education Round Table: Intersegmental Coordinating Committee (ICC) College Board Parent Institute for Quality Education RT Fisher Educational Enterprises The Education Trust - West WESTOP

UNIQUENESS OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE GEAR UP PROGRAM The primary focus of the resources of the California GEAR UP Program is to support the ADULTS at middle schools in California: the administrators, faculty and families. These educators provide the direct services to the students and they are the means by which this program commits to increasing opportunities for ALL students. systemic change and whole school reform. As such, this grant is unique among GEAR UP programs nationally in that its desired result is systemic change and whole school reform.

WHERE ARE WE NOW… IN THE “HOME STRETCH”: IN THE “HOME STRETCH”: Current Grant ends August 2011 Late April: Submit new grant proposal FOCUS: FOCUS: What are our strengths and weaknesses? What are the most effective practices and strategies? What are the primary lessons learned?

PROGRAM COMPONENTS GEAR UP COLLABORATION MODEL STATEWIDE DISSEMINATION MODEL SCHOOL BASED SERVICES MODEL

UNIVERSE OF CALIFORNIA MIDDLE SCHOOLS  Schools served by California State GEAR UP  California schools involved in GEAR UP partnership projects –  ALL California middle schools that meet GEAR UP criteria

California State GEAR UP Schools Since 1999, the California State GEAR UP grant has provided direct service to 255 middle schools throughout the state, from Weed near the Oregon border to Chula Vista adjacent to Mexico.

School Based Services Model GEAR UP schools function as a professional learning community with program staff; Schools receive information, resources, professional development and leadership training, school site facilitation, team coaching, data driven assessment; and family programming. Focus: developing a sustainable, whole school college-going culture

SCHOOL SELF-ASSESSMENT RUBRIC (SSAR) Six Conditions for Developing a College-Going Culture: 1.Development of a College-Going Culture 2.Rigorous Academic Curriculum 3.High Quality Teaching 4.Intensive Academic and College-Going Support 5.College-Going Identity 6.Family-Neighborhood-School Supports

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTION PLAN (PDAP) Each California GEAR UP middle school develops a PDAP for the professional development of staff and families. The School Leadership Team (LT), composed of the Principal, Counselor(s), Teachers and a family school representative, uses the results of the SSAR to develop the plan. The Leadership Team identifies program needs for each of the conditions of the SSAR, and sets both short and long-term plans for implementation. This process is funded by California GEAR UP, with matching funds from the schools and GEAR UP partners.

PROGRAM SUCCESS Increased student performance on State Standards-Based assessments; Increased advanced courses offered, increased academic counseling, increased participation in college test taking; Increased participation by school teams in professional development opportunities; Increased numbers of students and families who are knowledgeable about, and aspire to attend Postsecondary Institutions.

LESSONS LEARNED…. CONTINUING SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT School Site Visits (November-December 2011) Desert Willow Intermediate School - Palmdale Happy Valley Elementary School – Anderson King (Martin Luther) Academic – San Francisco King (Martin Luther) Academy – Sausalito Live Oak Middle School – Tulare Maywood Intermediate School – Corning Monterey Highlands Elementary School – Monterey Park Pacoima Middle School – Pacoima Shadow Hills Intermediate School – Palmdale White (Stephen M.) Middle School – Carson Winton Middle School - Hayward

LESSONS LEARNED… DESIGN A SERVICE MODEL THAT WILL PROVIDE MORE TIME FOR SCHOOLS TO ACHIEVE MEASURABLE, SUSTAINABLE CHANGE.

SIX YEAR SCHOOL SERVICE MODEL Developmental Continuum of Expectations Integration of Sustainable Practice Analysis of Student Achievement Measures

NEXT STEPS… Interested in applying to become a California GEAR UP school? Between now and January 2012:  Meet with school leadership to determine readiness and buy-in;  Choose the “right people” from your school community;  Communicate with all staff at the school site; →

 Share your interest with the school board and at the district office;  Contact other schools that have worked with GEAR UP;  Talk with other schools that are interested in applying to the GEAR UP Program;  Visit the California GEAR UP website: NEXT STEPS…

LESSONS LEARNED BUILD ON LESSONS LEARNED AND PROVIDE CONTINUED OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT FOR ALL SCHOOL COMMUNITIES.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES…  Participate in the Technical Assistance workshops for detailing the application and selection process for new schools (Fall 2011)  Participate in the review process of applicants for selection as GEAR UP schools (Winter 2011)  Participate in the introduction to GEAR UP process for new schools (January/February 2012) →

 Participate in the development of Statewide Whole School Transformation activities (Family Engagement, Counseling Institutes, Regional Forums);  Participate and present during professional development events, regional conferences and statewide events;  Host school site visits and participate in site visits to new GEAR UP schools. MORE OPPORTUNITIES…

BE IN TOUCH WITH US… Visit the California GEAR UP website: GIVE US A CALL!