Statewide Initiatives

News & Events

Texas receives $33 million grant for GEAR UP program

The Texas Education Agency is one of seven states to be awarded a $33 million federal grant to improve the postsecondary awareness, readiness and success of middle and high school students.

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Statewide Initiatives

2010 Tell Us Your Story, GEAR UP!

The Tell Us Your Story, GEAR UP! lesson and essay contest encouraged students from the 19 GEAR UP projects across Texas to use their voices and share their commitment to postsecondary education. These student essays were written in conjunction with the 2010 National GEAR UP Day, an annual opportunity for GEAR UP projects from across the nation to celebrate their accomplishments in college awareness, readiness, and success.

Each project was invited to nominate one essay to be included in the Tell Us Your Story, GEAR UP! book. Explore the winning essays below to hear firsthand how GEAR UP has been helping students across Texas prepare for postsecondary success.

Ariana Barajas - GEAR UP/Students Training for Academic Readiness (STAR)

Chapman Chase - TAMIU GEAR UP "Creating a Vision III"

Raul Garcia - GEAR UP for Success

Spring Garcia - Project GRAD Houston

Denise Martinez - Region One ESC GEAR UP

Gabriel Jorge Torres - UTPA GEAR UP

Mitzi Torres - San Antonio ISD GEAR UP

Manuel Villanueva - Project ReACH (Realizing and Achieving Collegiate Heights)

Kris Whitworth - East Texas GEAR UP

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GEAR UP Project Spotlight

Tyler GEAR UP

The University of Texas at Tyler

Tyler, TX

Students participate in an e-buddy program with American Southwest Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee members to receive a little extra encouragement for school and extracurricular activities.