GEAR UP is a federally funded program sponsored by the US Department of Education. GEAR UP’s seven-year grants fund services at high-poverty middle and high schools throughout the United States. GEAR UP grantees serve an entire cohort of students beginning no later than the seventh grade and follow the cohort through high school.

Goals and Objectives

The GEAR UP Rural Valley Partnership serves 1,741 students in Colusa, Glenn and Tehama counties in the north Sacramento Valley area. The goals and objectives of the program are to:

• Increase the academic performance and preparation for post-secondary education of GEAR UP students so that 50% of the program cohort will pass Integrated Math 1 by the end of 9th grade, 35% of the cohort will pass Integrated Math 2 by the end of 10th grade, and 30% of the cohort will pass Integrated Math 3 by the end of the 11th grade.
• Increase the rate of high school graduation and enrollment in postsecondary education so that 90% of the cohort will graduate from high school. 75% of the cohort will enroll in postsecondary education, 45% of the cohort will place into college-level Math and English without need for remediation, and 70% of the cohort in college will persist from fall to fall.
• Increase GEAR UP students’ and their families’ knowledge of postsecondary education option, preparation and financing so that 50% of the cohort and parents will demonstrate knowledge of available financial aid and the costs of postsecondary education, 50% of the cohort will demonstrate knowledge of the importance of pursuing and the process in enrolling in postsecondary education, 30% of parents of the cohort will actively engage in activities associated with assisting students in their academic preparation for college.

Federal Eligibility

All schools served by the GEAR UP Rural Valley Partnership qualify by:

• Having at least 50% free and reduced-price lunch rate
• School enrollment numbers
• Their willingness to partner in support of college and career readiness

Services

• Academic, college and career advising
• Professional development
• Whole grade workshops
• District and school site leadership teams
• College and career foundational curriculum
• Data analysis
• Parent engagement services
• Financial literacy workshops
• College/Career Field Trips
• Summer Programs
• Tutoring