Oklahoma GEARUP

"' GEAR UP provides tools, information and a supportive infrastructure so that Oklahoma students have the opportunity to succeed in higher education."'

What is [http://www.okhighered.org/gearup Oklahoma GEAR UP] ?

Oklahoma GEAR UP is a federally funded, state-grant program that helps prepare middle and high school students be better prepared for college. This is accomplished through academic preparation programs and scholarships for students, professional development activities for educators and college access information for students and parents.

In addition to the state GEAR UP grant, Oklahoma is home to several GEAR UP partnership grants. The focus of a partnership grant is to serve a local school district or a group of school districts. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education state GEAR UP grant has a statewide focus, which makes it distinct from the partnership GEAR UP grants. The state grant and partnership grants work together to enhance opportunities for students.

The primary goal of GEAR UP is to ensure all students in Oklahoma are prepared to succeed in postsecondary education. The GEAR UP program is built on two broad college access components: scholarship funding and early intervention initiatives.

Scholarship Funding

GEAR UP encourages Oklahoma students to take advantage of a unique program for eighth-, ninth- and 10th-grade students that will help pay for their college education if their family’s annual income is $50,000 or less. The program is called Oklahoma's Promise. To make sure students get ready for college while they are still in high school, the program requires students to take certain high school courses. To be eligible, students have to pass the required courses and make good grades (at least a 2.5 GPA).

Students also have to show that they are good citizens outside the classroom. That means staying away from trouble like gangs, drugs and alcohol. Once a student reaches the program’s goals, Oklahoma’s Promise will pay his or her tuition at an Oklahoma public two-year college or four-year university. Oklahoma’s Promise will also cover at least a portion of tuition at an Oklahoma accredited private college or university or for courses offered at public technology centers that qualify for credit from a public two-year college.

Early Intervention Initiatives

GEAR UP recognizes it is never too early to start planning for college. Thinking about and planning for college early gives students a jump-start on the classes to take, college costs, study habits and finding the right college. Oklahoma GEAR UP’s early intervention initiatives encompass a variety of programs, activities and services to help Oklahoma students not only prepare for college, but enter and succeed.

Statewide College Access Information

Oklahoma GEAR UP is recognized nationally for its comprehensive public awareness component. Aimed at fifth- through 12th-grade students and their parents, GEAR UP provides, in both English and Spanish languages, Web sites for parents and students, resources for teachers and guidance counselors, instructional DVDs, teacher guides, student activity booklets and college readiness information for the general public. GEAR UP encourages students to plan for college through radio and television commercials, print ads and billboards, which can be viewed by clicking on the links below:

Community and Faith-Based Organization Outreach

Because college preparation extends outside the classroom, GEAR UP works with community and faith-based organizations to develop programs and offer support to students and their families wanting to learn more about college. The programs are designed to promote Oklahoma’s Promise and to create opportunities for parents to learn about how they can become involved in their child’s educational success.

Plan4College Centers

The Plan4College Centers, which can be found in publicly accessible locations in communities across Oklahoma, offer students and families a one-stop shop for their college information needs. The site hosts a computer dedicated solely for college planning. Visitors are just one click away from learning about courses to take and grades to make, exploring colleges, finding a career, filling out college applications and applying for financial aid. Also, a knowledgeable person is available at the center to sit down one-on-one with students and families to answer their questions as well as help them determine the steps they need to take in order to create personalized plans for college.

GEAR UP in the Classroom

GEAR UP provides funding to train teachers to learn how to create a college-going culture inside the classroom so students not only aspire to go to college, but are equipped to succeed once they get on campus. GEAR UP school districts partner with community-based organizations and colleges or universities to create college-going learning opportunities for students and their parents outside of school. The funding also provides resources for student tutoring, mentoring, career exploration programs and ACT prep materials.

Professional Development

Oklahoma GEAR UP is committed to helping students better prepare for college by offering training and professional development opportunities for teachers and school administrators. Professional development opportunities focus on improving student success through techniques such as curriculum strengthening, vertical teaming, working with special populations, data analysis and academic improvement.

Parent Leadership Academy

The Oklahoma GEAR UP Parent Leadership Academy is a program that teaches parents how to become involved in their local school system to strengthen academic achievement for all students. The academy provides parents with the tools and training to understand what students are expected to learn and the skills students are expected to demonstrate. Through the academy, parents are equipped with the ability to develop parent-school-community partnerships needed to significantly increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in college.

"The U.S. Department of Education awarded Oklahoma with a state GEAR UP grant totaling $20.5 million in August 1999. Oklahoma was one of 21 states to receive a GEAR UP state grant. In 2005, Oklahoma received a six-year, $20.6 million state GEAR UP grant to continue much-needed information and services that help students and their families better prepare for college. The grants have been matched by more than $47 million from state and partner resources. With the addition of the 2005 multi-year, federal grant, Oklahoma’s GEAR UP program will ultimately receive more than $45.6 million in federal funds by 2011. GEAR UP receives 49 percent of total funding from the federal government and 51 percent from other organizations."