About Us

The Texas State GEAR UP grant — the Students Training for Academic Readiness (STAR) program — is managed by the Texas Education Agency's Office of College and Career Readiness Initiatives. The six-year federal program (2006-2012) is created to enhance early college awareness, access, and readiness for Texas students. To achieve these goals, the project focuses on four major areas:

• Student and family information access and early intervention
• Advanced academic opportunities
• Educator preparation and quality
• Family and community support

The grant is divided into two major activity strands:

• Statewide Initiatives
• Multifaceted interventions in the six STAR districts

GEAR UP begins working with students in the seventh grade and follows them through to graduation.