program results

EVALUATION SUMMARY 2000-2006
As a result of participation in the California GEAR UP program, middle schools are expected to take advantage of the resources provided by the program and use other resources available at the school to achieve five outcomes for sustaining school improvement and developing a college-going culture.  Each of these Outcomes, Resources provided by GEAR UP, and the Results from Cohorts 1-6 schools from 2000 through 2006, Cohort 5 schools from 2002 through 2005, and Cohort 6 schools from 2003 through 2006 are presented below.

• A Leadership Team led by the Principal that guides the school-wide development of a college-going culture within a whole school improvement effort and whose members actively participate in California GEAR UP activities.

RESOURCES:  Principal and Leadership Team Institutes and Forums; On-Site Facilitation; School Self-Assessment Rubric (SSAR); Perceptions of Attitudes, Assessment of Readiness and Commitment to Change; Community Conference; Newsletters; Website.
ASSESSMENT:  Annual School Program Survey; Annual Evaluation by Principal and Site Contact; School Self-Assessment Rubric (SSAR); Perceptions of Attitudes, Assessment of Readiness and Commitment to Change
RESULTS:  In the 29 Cohort 6 schools, GEAR UP Leadership Teams met an average of 7.times in the ast year.
All services of California GEAR UP have been highly rated by Cohort 1-6 schools in terms of supporting implementation of the GEAR UP program, except ACT Discover, as the following chart illustrates.
Assessment of California GEAR UP Schools from the 2001 – 2006 Annual Evaluations

“The Leadership Team has been involved in developing a college-going culture at the site and within the community by always stressing the importance of grades and school.”  Cantua Elementary, Cantua Creek.

• Rigorous academic instruction for all students, with regular and timely support for struggling students, and an increased number of Advanced Courses, including PreAlgebra in Grade 7, and Algebra 1 in grade 8. 

RESOURCES:  College Board and AVID teacher workshops, Professional Development Action Plan.
ASSESSMENT:  Annual School Program Survey, California Standards Tests, College Board, AVID
RESULTS:  Cohort 1-6 schools increased the number of Advanced Courses by 33% and increased Algebra 1 enrollment by 86% in three years.
Cohort 5 schools increased the percentage of Advanced Courses from 11% to 15% and increased Algebra 1 enrollment from 22% to 63% in three years.
Cohort 6 schools increased the percentage of Advanced Courses from 19% to 23% and increased Algebra 1 enrollment from 47% to 53% in two years.
“Trainings have reinforced and focused our current and standing efforts to provide rigorous, relevant and interesting instruction for ALL students.”  Wilson IB Middle School, Pasadena.

• Academic counseling which includes an individual grade 7 – 12 Academic Plan for each student, based on their strengths and interests, and Postsecondary Information meetings and activities for all students.

RESOURCES:  Counseling Institute, ACT DISCOVER website and training.
ASSESSMENT:  Annual School Program Survey, ACT
RESULTS:  Cohort 3-6 schools increased the percentage of students with Academic Plans from 20% to 47% and percentage of students attending Postsecondary Information meetings from 34% to 67%.
Cohort 5 schools increased the percentage of students with Academic Plans from 26% to 48% and percentage of students attending Postsecondary Information meetings from 43% to 73%.
Cohort 6 schools increased the percentage of students with Academic Plans from 23% to 33% and percentage of students attending Postsecondary Information meetings from 39% to 46%.
“Our teachers are currently using the College: Making It Happen workbook to help students develop a plan for high school and college.  Students are backwards mapping from their career interest, to college program offerings, to college entrance requirements to high school offerings.”  Ranchos Middle School, Madera

• College and financial aid information for all students and families, including a centralized college resource location in each school.

RESOURCES:  Resources and Materials Clearinghouse, College: Making It Happen guide and video, Kids on Campus  video, Complete Pocket Guide to California Colleges and Universities
ASSESSMENT:  Annual School Program Survey, California GEAR UP
RESULTS:  Of the 29 Cohort 6 schools, 13 have established a centralized college resource location in the school. 
“Each class has a College Corner.”  Fairgrove Academy, La Puente.

• Regular involvement of families in supporting excellence in learning and high aspirations of postsecondary education for their children.

RESOURCES:  Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE), Family Initiatives Project (FIP), Educational Trust Awards.
ASSESSMENT:  Annual School Program Survey, PIQE, FIP
RESULTS:  Presented Educational Trust Awards to 3,750 students from 1999 to 2005, and 288 students in 2006.
PIQE and FIP graduated 20,414 parents from their programs from 1999 through March 31, 2006.
GEAR UP Parent Survey.  Parents completing PIQE and FIP workshops are well informed about college admission and financial aid and expect their child to pursue postsecondary education.

• 78% of the participants have spoken to someone about college entrance requirements, and 64% about financial aid
• 96% of the participants have spoken to their child about college
• 66% of the participants think their child will achieve a baccalaureate degree or higher, and an additional 27% of participants expect they will attend some college
• 64% of the participants think their child can definitely afford to attend a public 4-year college, and 28% think they probably can

“Great program!  Well received by parents.  We offered classes that assisted them in being able to have better skills at directing their students for academic success.”   McFarland Middle School, McFarland.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT RESULTS

• Cohort 1-5 schools increased their scores on the Academic Performance Index (API) by 7.1% over three years as compared to a statewide increase of 3.1%.
• Cohort 4 and 5 schools increased their Adequate Yearly Progress scores by 36.2% in English/Language Arts and by 26.7% in Mathematics over three years as compared to statewide increases of 19.3% and 27.6%, respectively.

COMMENTS FROM THE 2006 PRINCIPAL AND SITE CONTACT EVALUATION, COHORT 6.
“GEAR UP has helped our administration and staff work as a team to plan and implement necessary tools to help all of our students be successful. We have had the opportunity to see what other schools are doing that is similar to our own school. GEAR UP has provided professional development through forums, new programs and College Board workshops to help teachers help students get their minds around going to college and developing a mentality that everyone can and should attend.”  Delta Sierra Middle School, Stockton.
“The GEAR UP program provided the critical support that schools need to promote the college going dreams of students and their parents.  The earlier we begin to encourage them and help them realize the requirements and their potential for reaching the requirements, the more successful students will become in achieving their lifetime goals.”  Garfield Elementary School, Alhambra.
“Our school is very proud to be part of the California GEAR UP program.  All of the above resources have been of great support in helping us build the so much needed college-going culture at our school.”  Stevenson Middle School, Los Angeles.

Evaluator, Don Watson, Watson Education Services LLC                               July 12, 2006

For additional information, go to [Additional Program Results].