What is GEAR UP?

SRSU GEAR UP is a federally funded grant program that serves and tracks a cohort of area students who entered seventh grade in the fall of 2005 and continues through a summer college bridge program following high school graduation in 2011. Participants attend 14 school districts in nine Texas counties bordering Mexico.

What Services does GEAR UP provide?

To improve academic achievement, high school graduation, and college enrollment, participants receive services at no cost including tutoring, after-school academic success skills programs, intensive Summer Camp Programs, college and financial aid workshops and individual counseling, mentoring, 21st Century Scholar events, and scholarship opportunities.

How does GEAR UP assist partner school faculty?

Gear up is designed to address partner school teachers' needs for training in effective instructional techniques. Faculty development is carefully staged to target the current and next year's participants' teachers (but will be available to all), so that after six years of programming, systemic and durable improvements in middle and high school instruction will benefit students for years to come.

Who is eligible?

All students who entered seventh grade in 2005 from the 14 GEAR UP Partner Schools including Alpine, Marfa, Marathon, Presidio, Terlingua, Sanderson, Valentine, Van Horn, Sierra Blanca, Pecos, Grand Falls, Buena Vista, Balmorhea, and Fort Stockton school districts. (Students who enter this cohort as it reaches a later grade are also eligible.)

How long will students be served?

Participants receive GEAR UP services throughout middle and high school and through the summer college bridge program following graduation.

How is the effectiveness of GEAR UP measured?

SRSU GEAR UP target outcomes include:

• 2-5 pecent annual increases in standardized test scores
• GPAs of 2.5 or more among 80% of participants
• 90 percent promotion and high school graduation rates
• 2011college enrollment equal to national average.