What is the Harvard GEAR UP Program?

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Ezra Mason
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1 Developing High- Performing GEAR UP Professionals February 12, 2006 San Antonio, TX

2 About NCCEP Founded by the Ford and Kellogg Foundations to develop and strengthen broad-based K-16 partnerships Colleges/universities, K-12 schools, parent groups, businesses, government agencies, foundations, CBO s Improve public education, increase student achievement and expand access to higher education for low-income families Work with a number of national programs the largest being the GEAR UP Program

foundations, CBO s Improve public education, increase student achievement and expand access to higher

3 Workshop Overview Goals: Provide new GEAR UP Directors and Staff with an overview of the GEAR UP program, its theory of change, and common program strategies. Explore the varied roles of GEAR UP Professionals and characteristics of effective program leadership. Discuss common project administration challenges and strategies that maximize project effectiveness and impact.

Explore the varied roles of GEAR UP Professionals and characteristics of effective program

4 Overview of GEAR UP Discretionary grant program created by Congress to help low-income students gain greater access to college Since 1999, GEAR UP has grown from $120 million to the FY 2006 appropriation of $303.4 million Served 1.48 million students during the AY Incorporates match requirement and partnerships Cohort based approach starting no later than 7th grade Provides services to students, parents, & families Focus on strengthening infrastructure at key transition points State and partnership grantees 47 states, DC, territories (excludes NH, ND, ID) 245 Grantees = 36 state grantees, 209 local partnerships

48 million students during the 2004-2005 AY Incorporates match requirement and partnerships Cohort based approach starting no later than 7th grade Provides

5 Racial and Ethnic Composition of Students Served by GEAR UP White 32% African American 27% Asian 4% Native American/Hawaiian 7% Hispanic 30%

6 Why is GEAR UP Necessary? Source: JD EDWARDS/Business Week

7 Income, Enrollment and Degree Attainment Percent of th Graders Completing Each Stage (2000) High Income ($75,000 or more) Low Income (Less than $25,000) Percent of Total 8th Graders 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 100% -1% High Income Students -2% GED -2% -21% 76% Percent of Total 8th Graders 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 100% Low Income Students -23% -17% GED -21% -37% 19% 0% High School students Drop out from High School Never enroll in college Never obtain degree Complete Associate's degree or higher 0% High School students Drop out from High School Never enroll in college Never obtain degree Complete Associate's degree or higher Note: Data represents survey responses in 2000 from the cohort of th graders; income levels are in 1988 dollars; High school completion rates include GED recipients Source: NCES National Education Longitudinal Study, 1988/2000; Parthenon analysis

from High School Never enroll in college Never obtain degree Complete Associate's degree or higher 0% High School students Drop out from High School Never enroll in college Never obtain degree

8 The education pipeline is not preparing enough students for success Out of 100 ninth graders: 68 will graduate high school on time 40 will directly enter college 27 are still enrolled sophomore year 18 will graduate from college within 6 years White House Office of Communications. (September, 2004). Strengthening Education and Job Training Opportunities. Retrieved January 2, 2005, from

college within 6 years White House Office of Communications. (September, 2004).

9 9th Graders Chance for College by Age

10 Retention Rates - First-Time College Freshmen Returning Their Second Year Four-Year Colleges/Universities

11 Student Pipeline Transition and Completion Rates from 9th Grade to College* * For every 100 9th graders, the number that graduate from high school within 4 years (based on the public HS graduation rates above), the number that go directly to college (based on the college going rates of recent HS graduates above), the number that return for their second year of college (based on the first-year retention rates above), and the number that graduate from college within 150% of program time (based on the graduation rates above).

the college going rates of recent HS graduates above), the number that return for their second year of college (based on the

12 Objectives of GEAR UP Ensure that all students have access to rigorous courses that prepare them for college Provide financial support as an incentive and reward for college enrollment Foster academic achievement especially in math, science, reading and technological literacy Provide information early to students and parents about college options, collegebound student behaviors, required courses, and financial aid

achievement especially in math, science, reading and technological literacy Provide information early to

13 Objectives of GEAR UP Develop intensive academic enrichment programs supported by tutoring, mentoring, and counseling programs tailored to students needs Build capacity for continuous school improvement through ongoing teacher and counselor professional development programs Utilize education/community/business partnerships as leverage for sustaining successful interventions

school improvement through ongoing teacher and counselor professional development programs

14 The Foundations of GEAR UP Raise College Awareness Increase Academic Aspirations Strengthen Academic Achievement

15 GEAR UP and Education Reform Renegotiating Relationships Quantity of Instruction Quality of Instruction Quality of Student Engagement

16 GEAR UP and Education Reform Improving the quality of student engagement. Examples of programs designed to address this domain include social support programs, activities to enhance student pro-academic behavior within schools and homes, and raising academic aspirations and self-efficacy. Improving the quality of instruction. Examples of programs designed to improve the quality of instruction include instructional innovations, curriculum reform or the creation of culturally relevant subject matter, and professional development for teachers.

behavior within schools and homes, and raising academic aspirations and self-efficacy. Improving the quality of instruction.

17 GEAR UP and Education Reform Improving the quantity of instruction. Broadly stated, many GEAR UP programs focus on creating additional exposure to learning opportunities. Examples include increased class time, student academic support programs (such as tutoring), summer programs, and after-school programs. Improving and renegotiating relationships. These programs are designed to improve the communication and relational dynamic between students, teachers, administrators, families, and communities. Examples include parent education and advocacy programs, increased parent and community involvement in education policy, leadership development, and grassroots community organizing efforts.

Improving and renegotiating relationships.

18 Why Partnerships? = Education Initiatives Education Improvement GOALS Original Source: Pinellas County Schools & National Alliance of Business

19 GEAR UP=Strategic Alignment In an aligned education partnership... Student Achievement System Performance GOALS improvement efforts are integrated and results-oriented Original Source: Pinellas County Schools & National Alliance of Business

20 Looking Ahead... GEAR UP Projects are Never Static Expect to continue developing your capacity for programming, management, partnerships and evaluation Program implementation will evolve as your program matures Roots are rarely permanent, but will require ongoing nurturing

21 Seek Out Windows of Opportunity Needs of the Community Mutually Beneficial Activities in the Area of Overlap Needs of the GEAR UP Program

22 The Truth About GEAR UP Success While the innovations that GEAR UP supplies are essential... GEAR UP is about people GEAR UP is about leadership GEAR UP is about relationships

23 The Evolving Role of the GEAR UP Professional GEAR UP requires skill sets above and beyond content expertise: Program Administration and Grant Compliance Change Management Advocacy and Public Policy Community Relations and Communication Fundraising and Partnership Building

24 Developing High- Performing GEAR UP Professionals February 12, 2006 San Antonio, TX

Latino Student Success and Promising Practices

Latino Student Success and Promising Practices IOWA LATINA/O EDUCATION INITIATIVE CONFERENCE Maria Harper-Marinick, Ph.D. Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost Maricopa Community Colleges Pew Research Center