RECORD 1,614 SCHOOLS RECOGNIZED BY CALIFORNIA
BUSINESS COMMUNITY FOR HIGH STUDENT ACADEMIC
ACHIEVEMENT AND CLOSING ACHIEVEMENT GAPS 

Schools Selected by California Business for Education
Excellence for Prestigious Honor Roll  

May 15, 2012 (Sacramento, CA) – California GEAR UP is pleased to share today that a record 1,614 schools have been selected by California Business for Education Excellence (CBEE)  as schools in California to receive the title of 2011 Honor Roll school. Included on the list are many current and former California GEAR UP Schools.

Schools receiving this distinction from the California business community have demonstrated consistent high levels of student academic achievement, improvement in achievement levels over time and reduction in achievement gaps among student populations.  For High Schools, the Honor Roll recognition also includes measures of college readiness. The CBEE Honor Roll is comprised of two different awards, the “Star Schools” Award (527 schools),  “Scholar Schools” Award (1,087 schools) and special designation for “STEM schools ” with highest performance in math and science.

Like California GEAR UP Schools, CBEE Star Schools are those with significant populations of socio-economically disadvantaged students that have shown a significant increase in grade-level proficiency over time. CBEE Scholar Schools are schools that are showing significant levels of academic achievement, but do not have a significant socio-economically disadvantaged student population.

“We are so proud to to have California GEAR UP Schools recognized by California’s business community as an Honor Roll school,” said Gina Rodriguez, School Services Manager-Calfiornia GEAR UP.  “Our teachers and administrators work tirelessly to keep the focus on high expectations and student academic achievement and to continuously improving our practices. This hard work and dedication is paying off for all of our students, no matter their background.”

The Honor Roll is the premier school recognition program that uses only academic achievement data showing improved academic growth over time and a closing of the achievement gap.

A full list of the Honor Roll schools and the STEM Honor Roll can be found at: HERE. Full list of California GEAR UP Schools can be found on our website:www.castategearup.org.

As part of the extensive six-month planning phase, California GEAR UP has completed 51 school site visits and three statewide events in Glendale, Berkeley, and Costa Mesa.

Participating in the planning phase of the California GEAR UP program, schools will complete the following activities:

• Host a School-Site Visit for GEAR UP Orientation (2 hours maximum) with key leaders (potential GEAR UP Leadership Team) to be scheduled between January 27 and February 29, 2012.

• Participate in a Planning Session for GEAR UP: A full-day session, 8 am – 4 pm, for the school leadership team.

• Complete Perceptions Activity with school-wide staff.

• Schools Receive Notification by May 21, 2012: Schools will be notified of their final selection for participation in the 6-year California GEAR UP Program.

Schools level of enthusiasm and commitment already demonstrated tells me that they are ready to be a part of something bigger that will help to create systemic change at their school, in their community and state wide. Plus the fact that we have the opportunity to work with these schools for five and half years – this will give us the time to go deeper and hopefully make a bigger impact for each school, their students, families and the community!

Michele Molitor-Whole School Services Coach

The goal of California GEAR UP is to develop and sustain the organizational capacity of middle schools to prepare all students for high school and higher education through a systemic network of  support for adults who influence middle school students, specifically their counselors, faculty, school leaders, and families.

The planning phase activities have been designed to begin the capacity building process by introducing tools and services to school leadership teams and begin the 6 year California GEAR UP Whole School Services process.

CGU is about working with the adults who want to change school culture for the better, so that ALL students are prepared to go college. It is systemic change. Despite lay-offs, budget cuts and the changes that come along with these:  teachers, counselors and administrators want what is best for kids and it has shown in the amazing work of the leadership teams at our events.  This is truly uplifting work!

Gina Rodriguez-Whole School Services Manager

Leadership teams will now return to their schools to share the planning phase tools and strategies with the entire community, including participating in the Perceptions Tool Activity.

Schools Receive Notification by May 21, 2012: Schools will be notified of their final selection for participation in the 6-year California GEAR UP Program.

Costa Mesa, CA–California GEAR UP Leadership Team gathered in Costa Mesa, CA today to kick off the planning phase of a 6 year plan to create a college going culture at their school. Teams will learn more about tools and resources provided by California GEAR UP and collaborate with each other on successful strategies to introduce GEAR UP information into the school wide community.

California GEAR UP schools commit to strong academic programming and a cohesive college and career readiness curriculum, beginning at the middle school and connecting with area high schools and local postsecondary institutions. GEAR UP provides a network of support and professional development activities to integrate a college-going culture into school site reform efforts.

Forty-six middle schools will be selected to receive support developing a college-going culture through professional development, engagement of families and communities, counseling support, partner services and resources for the six-year grant period.

The purpose of California GEAR UP is to develop and sustain the organizational capacity of middle schools to prepare all students for high school and higher education through a statewide network of support for adults who influence middle school students, specifically their counselors, faculty, school leaders and families. As a result of this expanded capacity, a higher proportion of students, particularly from backgrounds and communities that have not historically pursued a college education, will enroll and succeed in higher education.

To view the planning phase presentation from the Glendale Workshop, please click here.

For more information on California GEAR UP, please visit our website.

California GEAR UP Leadership Team gathered in Berkeley today to kick off the planning phase of a 6 year plan to create a college going culture at their school. Teams will learn more about tools and resources provided by California GEAR UP and collaborate with each other on successful strategies to introduce GEAR UP information into the school wide community.

California GEAR UP schools commit to strong academic programming and a cohesive college and career readiness curriculum, beginning at the middle school and connecting with area high schools and local postsecondary institutions. GEAR UP provides a network of support and professional development activities to integrate a college-going culture into school site reform efforts.

Forty-six middle schools will be selected to receive support developing a college-going culture through professional development, engagement of families and communities, counseling support, partner services and resources for the six-year grant period.

The purpose of California GEAR UP is to develop and sustain the organizational capacity of middle schools to prepare all students for high school and higher education through a statewide network of support for adults who influence middle school students, specifically their counselors, faculty, school leaders and families. As a result of this expanded capacity, a higher proportion of students, particularly from backgrounds and communities that have not historically pursued a college education, will enroll and succeed in higher education.

To view the planning phase presentation from the Glendale Workshop, please click here.

For more information on California GEAR UP, please visit our website.

Monday, January 16, 2012–We are excited and pleased to announce the planning phase for the new cohort of California GEAR UP middle schools!

On behalf of Governor Jerry Brown and the California Education Round Table, the State of California proposes to conduct a State GEAR UP grant to be administered by the University of California.  The goal of this grant is to:

To develop and sustain the organizational capacity of middle schools to prepare all students for high school and higher education through a systemic network of  support for adults who influence middle school students, specifically their counselors, faculty, school leaders, and families.  This expanded organizational capacity is expected to result in a higher proportion of students, particularly from  backgrounds and communities that historically have not pursued a college education, enrolling and succeeding in higher education.

The 2011-2017 cohort begins whole school services with a planning phase already underway. For a list of schools chosen for the planning phase click the link below:

CGU Planning Schools 2012

Selected California GEAR UP schools commit to strong academic programming and a cohesive college and career readiness curriculum, beginning at the middle school and connecting with area high schools and local postsecondary institutions. GEAR UP provides a network of support and professional development activities to integrate a college-going culture into school site reform efforts.

Following a six-month Planning Phase in 2012, schools are selected to participate in the program from January 2012 – August 2017.

If selected to participate in the planning phase of the California GEAR UP program, schools are asked to mark their calendars for the following activities and dates:

• Host a School-Site Visit for GEAR UP Orientation (2 hours maximum) with key leaders (potential GEAR UP Leadership Team) to be scheduled between January 27 and February 29, 2012. GEAR UP staff will work with the school to ensure a mutually convenient time.

• Participate in a Planning Session for GEAR UP: A full-day session, 8 am – 4 pm, for the school leadership team.

• Schools Receive Notification by May 21, 2012: Schools will be notified of their final selection for participation in the 6-year California GEAR UP Program.

Schools are also required to complete an annual school survey. A webinar is available on how to complete the survey on the WestEd website found HERE. (Please note clicking this link will automatically launch the WebEx in your browser.)

We welcome our new schools to take on the challenge of whole-school reform lead by a strategic leadership and coached by California GEAR UP School Services Coaches. Together we are confident we can lead the school toward academic excellence and college access for all students.

For more information about California GEAR UP please visit our website.

The time has finally come to apply to become a member of an elite group: A California GEAR UP Middle School.

California GEAR UP supports middle schools in developing a self-sustaining college-going culture for ALL students. The program serves whole schools through the adults that have the greatest impact on student life and experience: the principals, teachers, counselors, families and community leaders. GEAR UP resources, strategies and interventions are implemented by School Leadership Teams and guided by a school-based, six-year plan.

Selected California GEAR UP school teams commit to strong academic programming and a cohesive college and career readiness curriculum, beginning at the middle school and connecting with area high schools and local postsecondary institutions. GEAR UP provides a network of support and professional development activities to integrate a college-going culture into school site reform efforts.

Following a six-month Planning Phase in 2012, schools are selected to participate in the program fromJanuary 2012 – August 2017.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Schools are expected to:

• Have a minimum of 51% of students on the federal free & reduced price lunch program.
• Complete and return this application by Monday December 12, 2011, signed by the principal and district superintendent.
• Commit to strengthening and continuously improving the school’s college-going culture for ALL students.
• Participate in Planning Phase activities (Jan. 2012—May 2012): GEAR UP Program Orientation, a one-day planning session at a centrally located site, and conduct GEAR UP planning and information sessions within your school community.
• Convene the GEAR UP Leadership Team of up to 8 members (principal, site contact, counselor, 2 teachers, a parent representative, and key community partner).
• Commit to the GEAR UP Leadership Team and the training provided by California GEAR UP.
• Devise and focus on the Professional Development Action Plan (PDAP) annually.
• Submit survey and evaluation data to the GEAR UP Program Evaluator annually by March 1.
• Develop a procedure for student selection and recognition for Education Trust Award (ETA) recipients.

KEY DATES & DEADLINES FOR SCHOOL CALENDARS

• November 9, 15, 29, 2011: Technical Assistance Days
• December 12, 2011: Last day to submit program application
• January 13, 2012: Schools are notified whether or not they have been selected for the planning phase
• January 2012—May 2012: Planning Phase
• January 27—February 29, 2012: School-site Orientations
• March 14, 21, 28, 2012: Off-site planning sessions
• May 21, 2012: Schools will be notified of their final selection to the 6-year California GEAR UP Program

To apply, download the PDF application HERE. Download the Microsoft Word document HERE.

Deadline:

Please submit the completed application by Monday, December 12, 2011, to

California GEAR UP

Attn:Ms. Blaze Farrar,

Fax (510) 587-6354 Telephone (510) 587-6129, Email: Blaze.Farrar@ucop.edu

NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER DEADLINE.

For further information contact the California GEAR UP office at (510) 987-9137 or (916) 551-1757. Or email Gina Rodriguez Cynthia.Rodriguez@ucop.edu or Blaze Farrar Blaze.Farrar@ucop.edu.

Throughout the month of October, Cohort B California GEAR UP schools will be attending Principal and Leadership Team Institutes across the state.  This cohort of schools is entering the third and final year of GEAR UP and will be continuing to build on the progress of the previous two years of services.

Institutes will be held in Southern California in Costa Mesa on October 12-13 and Glendale on October 19-20. The northern Institute will be in North Emeryville on October 26-27.

The institutes will be focusing on creating a college-going culture throughout the school by looking at aspects of leadership, student expectations, rigorous coursework, school partners and strategic thinking, and communication and data use. Teams will work together over two days to plan and identify next steps in using California GEAR UP professional development funds and tools as well as GEAR UP school based services.

GEAR UP schools who are designated as ‘Schools on the Move’ will present best practices on a variety of topics on day two that will include an open discussion about how schools can successfully implement GEAR UP tools and services.

One of the key ideas of the institutes this year is creating a common understanding of instructional rigor and looking at how GEAR UP resources and services can support school-wide professional development plans to support expectations and rigor.

If you would like more information on our services and events, please visit our website.

Cesar Chavez Middle School in Lynwood, CA effectively uses their schools home page to share with the school community their Education Trust Awards nominees and information about the awards process. Here is an excerpt from the page:

CCMS Is A College Going Culture School!

The California State Gear Up will award these students a $2,000 scholar share account.  The winners of this scholarship will be able to use their money as soon as they graduate from high school and enroll in a university, college, or vocational/trade school.  The alternates have an 80% chance of receiving the $2,000.

Winners were selected based on a 500 word essay stating, Why they felt they deserved the scholarship? and by an interview conducted by three CCMS staff members.  All students will have an opportunity to apply for this scholarship again next year.  For more information, contact Ms. Castro 310 886-7312.

We would love to see how you are celebrating your college-going culture at your school. Submit information to sean.brennan@ucop.edu and we will share on the blog.

Great job Cesar Chavez Middle School!

1.Hold an event celebrating your GEAR UP program! Invite local media, elected officials, school administrators, parents, teachers, and students.

2. Host a Potluck BBQ as a thank you for dedicated GEAR UP volunteers.

3. Create a “See How Much We’ve Grown” Chart indicating the increases in federal funding for GEAR UP over the last 10 years. Turn this into an opportunity to highlight the success of your GEAR UP program.

4. Invite your local elected officials (mayor, city council) to attend a College Access Roundtable with your GEAR UP staff and students. This would be a great time for students to share how much they’ve learned in GEAR UP.

5. Host a “Champions of Education” Reception for your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative. Thank them for their hard work for GEAR UP and highlight some of your best parent volunteers.

6. Hold a “GEAR UP Day” in your state capital for college access and education. Meet with your State Legislators and tell them about how important GEAR UP has been to your community.

7. Start a letter writing campaign to your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative. Have your students thank the elected officials for supporting GEAR UP. Encourage parents and teachers to discuss the importance of GEAR UP in your community. Invite teachers and school administrators to attest to the increased graduation rates and test scores students have achieved through GEAR UP.

8. Create a never-ending “College Access Chain” featuring the names of students across your state who have
graduated from or are currently enrolled in a GEAR UP program! Take pictures of this huge chain created from paper links as it wraps around your school and send those pictures to all GEAR UP partners as a thank you for their support.

9. Host a Community Success Stories Breakfast with a local service club or chamber of commerce. Invite your
GEAR UP partners to share the success stories of GEAR UP students.

10. Celebrate GEAR UP with a day of community service! Motivate GEAR UP students to volunteer with a local
literacy group to spread the leadership skills they’ve gained through GEAR UP.

11. Hold a National GEAR UP Day Poster Contest! Have GEAR UP students design a poster for this event with a gift certificate to a bookstore as the prize.

12. Create an over-sized thank you card to send to your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative. With the National GEAR UP Day logo in the middle, have students, staff, and parents sign the card with their thanks, take a picture,
and deliver to your elected official’s District Office.

13. Have your mayor or governor proclaim September 18th, 2009 as National GEAR UP Day! Contact NCCEP for proclamation language (www.edpartnerships.org).

14. Create a “GEAR UP Dreams Wall” — Cover the wall of a classroom with butcher paper, place a large National GEAR UP Day logo in the center with “Our GEAR UP Dreams” underneath, and have students write their academic, professional, and personal goals on the wall. Take a picture of students by their dreams and send a few to your
U.S. Senators, U.S. Representative, and State Legislators.

15. Host a coffee with school administrators, teachers, parents, and student leaders of a non-GEAR UP school
to discuss college access and the success that GEAR UP has had in your school district!