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.

California GEAR UP continues its Principal and Leadership Team forums in Berkeley this week. Outcomes for the event include:

• Engage in a professional readings and dialogue
• Have a clear understanding of Outcomes and Expectations for California GEAR UP
• Revisit the Professional Development Action Plan (PDAP) and assess next steps in using GEAR UP services
• Share best strategies as Schools on the Move: Timing Interventions and Support for Struggling Students
• Determine communication steps to move the GEAR UP message forward with school staff and community

The goal of the California GEAR UP state program is to develop and sustain the organizational capacity of middle schools to prepare ALL students for high school and postsecondary education through the establishment of a statewide network of support. Since 1999, California GEAR UP and the 68 partnership projects have impacted over 1/3 of the 1200 middle schools in California, with the State grant serving over 236,000 students in 260 schools in 106 school districts in 25 counties. The state model is designed to create a self-sustaining college-going culture by working with whole schools through the adults that have the greatest impact in student life and experience: the principals, teachers, counselors, families and community leaders. The state model includes one school collaboration, GEAR UP/Valley High Collaboration, where a cohort of students is being followed from middle school through high school graduation.  By increasing the academic capacity of California middle schools, GEAR UP helps students meet the State Board of Education standards and advance toward successful high school completion and college participation.

If you attended todays event please let us know how we are doing! You can leave comments by click on the comments link above this post.

~We want to hear from you!~

California GEAR UP completed the last institute of the fall in Walnut Creek this week when it worked with CSP schools on their sustainability and capacity building efforts. Many of the schools have been with GEAR UP for 4-5 years and are now working on fulfilling all 6 sustainability conditions. Here are some of the photos from another successful institute.