Guide to GEAR UP in Texas
STAR Project
Texas Education Agency - Austin, TX
Name of Project:
STAR Project
Website:
State Project: www.teagearup.com and www.texasgearup.com
STAR Project: http://star.tamucc.edu/
Director's Name:
Kristen Reynolds, State Project Director
Amy Koenning, STAR Implementation Director
Director's Contact Number:
512-936-6060
Director's Email:
Kristen.Reynolds@tea.state.tx.us
Years of Grant:
2006-2012
Type of Grant:
Add a cohort
Districts/Demographics:
Alice ISD, Brooks County ISD, Corpus Christi ISD, Kingsville ISD, Mathis ISD, Odem-Edroy ISD
Number of Students Served:
4,962
Brief Description of Program:
The STAR project, a collaboration between the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the College of Education at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, The College Board, the National Hispanic Institute (NHI), and Fathers Active in Communities and Education (FACE), is designed to provide all students with the opportunity to pursue postsecondary goals.
STAR seeks to close identified current gaps in services, infrastructure, and opportunities by providing parents and community members in six school districts in the Gulf Coast an intensive intervention, as well as providing STAR toolkits and information sessions to students from across the state. STAR provides services through a comprehensive program which targets numerous aspects of the student collegiate decision. The program encourages the business community to become involved with the six STAR districts and connect students with local higher education institutions.
The program offers advanced academic training programs and resources for students and educators who otherwise would not have had access to the services due to location or financial restraints. Information and tools are distributed statewide and serve to equalize knowledge and participation among various student groups.
Program Components:
- Professional development:
College Board Pre-AP and AP professional development for all core area teachers; Vertical team training and implementation at each STAR district; Instructional strategies professional development sessions; CollegeEd training and implementation; GEAR UP Toolkit sessions for counselors; Counselor Networks and vertical teams training; Leadership institutes for campus administrators; Summer Bridge academies for teachers and students (Math/Science/Leadership development/Spanish) - Rigorous curriculum enhancements:
Faculty Fellows university professors provide coaching and mentoring options for district personnel and students; vertical alignment of curriculum for Pre-AP and AP courses; AP Institutes - Parent involvement:
FACE activities for dads and students conducted six times per year in each district, plus two multi-district events for all districts; parent sessions using GEAR UP toolkit materials; parents serve on Advisory Councils; NHI Family Leadership Academies formed in each district - Field trips:
Students attend college awareness field trips; Students attend academic programs at university
Student Leadership Programs:
CollegeEd program; Leadership camps at district level; Best of the Best and Young Leaders Programs sponsored by NHI; 7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens
Partners:
National Hispanic Institute (NHI), Fathers Active in Communities and Education (FACE), Texas A & M University at Corpus and Kingsville, the College Board
Additional Contributing Organizations:
Local Chambers of Commerce, American Bank in Corpus Christi, the CRAFT Center