What is GEAR UP?

1. GEAR UP’s Model for Closing the Achievement Gap: Listening to Students’ and Parents’ Perspectives on Academic Success and College Readiness Dolores D. Mena, Ph.D., LorriCapizzi, M.A., & XiaoluHu, Ph.D. San José State University Dalia Borrego & Irma Jaramillo GEAR UP Parents/Parent Liaisons Yerba Buena & Mt. Pleasant High Schools Alicia Gutierrez 12th Grader, Mt. Pleasant High School Osmar Perez 12th Grader, San Jose High School San Jose/Silicon Valley 2020 Symposium Santa Clara County Office of Education September 25, 2013

2. What is GEAR UP? Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP): • 6-yr program funded through the U.S. Department of Education • Purpose is to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. • Provides services at high-poverty middle and high schools (at least 50% eligible free & reduced lunch) • Serves an entire cohort of students from 7th – 12th grades. • SJSU Counselor Education Department GEAR UP grants: 1999-2005, 2000-2005, 2008-2014

3. Providing Coherent Pathways to Impact the Global Economy GEAR UP - Closing the achievement gap by: • Increase GEAR UP students’ academic performance and preparation for post-secondary education(e.g., Provide support through personal, academic, and career counseling, after school tutoring, college fieldtrips, training in SAT and CAHSEE) • Increase students’ high school graduation rate and post-secondary enrollment(e.g., Provide Saturday academy and summer school) Building social capital for students’ success by: • Increase students’ and families’ knowledge of post-secondary education options, preparation, & financing(e.g., Provide workshops and parent network) • Provide academic, career, and social support(e.g., Provide mentoring, college fieldtrips, individual meetings, and student case management)

4. Providing Pathways for Students Regardless of Background and SES • Cohort approach – serve all students within a grade level • Follow cohort students from 7th – 12th grades • Build college-going culture among the cohort students • Intentionally hire counselors/coaches who are 1st generation and bilingual/bi-cultural to relate to and connect with students and parents

5. Providing Students with In-depthMath and Science Content Knowledge • Provide summer school and credit recovery classes to ensure students achieve aligned math and science requirements • Provide engaging and experiential learning opportunities (Short video – Chemistry water pollution documentary, Summer 2012) • Provide students learning experiences related to science and technology (Short video- Geography project documentary, Summer 2011)

6. Providing Weekend, Evening, and Summer Support to Decrease the Learning Gap • Provide summer school, credit recovery, Cyber High, Saturday Academy, and CAHSEE prep classes • Provide teacher training for SAT Prep • Monitor student performance and use data to recruit students to after school, summer, and Saturday programs

7. Implications for the Community, School System, and Way of Life • Work with community partners (e.g., AVID, Cal-SOAP, California Youth Outreach, Catholic Charities, San Jose/Evergreen Community College District) to expand the program’s impact • Work with SJSU teacher, counselor, and administrative credential candidates to become change agents to close the student achievement gap in Silicon Valley • Work with school and district leaders to build college-going culture

8. Should the U.S. incorporate values and non-academic skills back into the curriculum to build character and morally conscious citizens? • YES! • SJSU GEAR UP: • Addresses students’ academic, career, and social/personal development • Focuses on developing students’ critical thinking skills related to issues that impact their local communities and the larger society (e.g., Geography documentary project) • Guides and supports students in become contributing members of society

9. Questions?