Guide to GEAR UP in Texas

Bryan ISD GEAR UP Partnership Project

Bryan ISD

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Name of Project:

Bryan ISD GEAR UP Partnership Project

Website:

http://gearup.cehd.tamu.edu/

Director's Name:

Pat Lynch

Director's Contact Number:

979-845-9462

Director's Email:

pslynch@tamu.edu

Years of Grant:

2008-2014

Type of Grant:

Cohort

Number of Students Served:

978 students

Brief Description of Program:

The Bryan Independent School District received a six-year GEAR UP grant in 2008 to provide services to the cohort of students who comprise the class of 2014 from their 7th-grade year through graduation.  In collaboration with a variety of community and education partners, GEAR UP is providing services to improve the graduation rate and participation in postsecondary education of our cohort.  Services provided include tutoring, mentoring, career advising, summer programs, and other programs that provide information about financial aid and college admissions requirements.  Special programs have been developed for students on IEPs, including those with moderate to severe disabilities, to improve graduation outcomes for them in terms of community participation and postsecondary education.  Bryan ISD GEAR UP is also increasing parental engagement through monthly meetings in both English and Spanish and a variety of workshops.  In addition, we are also providing professional development training for teachers and school administrators.

Parent Programs:

 

  • Parent-to-Parent lunch talks
  • Placticas para Padres
  • Various workshops for parents

Student Leadership Programs:

 

  • GEAR UP Leadership Team (sponsored group of students focusing on service learning)
  • TEAM Shift – program offered to students to focus on leadership skills

Partners:

 

  • ACT
  • City of Bryan
  • Hispanic Forum of Bryan/College Station
  • KBTX Television
  • Fox 28 Television
  • Project Unity; Santa Teresa Parrish
  • Workforce Solutions
  • Brazos Valley African American Museum
  • Sylvan Learning

Additional Contributing Organizations:

 

  • Bryan/College Station Eagle (newspaper)
  • Brazos Valley Center for Independent Living (BVCIL)
  • Radio Alegria; La Voz Hispana (newspaper)
  • Candy 95 Radio Station
  • Blinn College
  • TEAM Shift
  • The CW Television Station

Project Goals:

Project goals are as follows:

(1) to remove psychological and institutional barriers regarding high school graduation and higher education; (2) to provide services so that all Bryan students are academically prepared for postsecondary education, including (a) ensuring that all students, including all subgroups, score at least at the proficient level on the TAKS examination, (b) achieving equity among student subgroups in terms of access to advanced programs (dual credit, advanced placement) and extracurricular activities, (c) reducing the drop-out rate across all student subgroups, (d) to provide quality, appropriate staff development related to enhancing success for low performing students in Bryan ISD to faculty, administrators, and counselors; (3) to increase awareness of and decision-making skills regarding college matriculation and careers among students and families; and (4) to develop a model for a sustainable school-community-postsecondary education partnership.

Notable Project Achievement:

Through collaboration with media and local postsecondary recruiters, GEAR UP is a commonly known program in our community.

District/Campus Names:

Bryan ISD