gear up alabama. what is gear up alabama? gua is a university of alabama at birmingham project that...
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GEAR UP ALABAMA
WHAT IS GEAR UP ALABAMA?
• GUA is a University of Alabama at Birmingham project that focuses on serving students in the Black Belt region of Alabama
• GUA has built an infrastructure of districts in the BBR to effectively prepare students for post secondary education
Funding
• This 7 year grant was funded for $24.5 million (actual money)• There is a required dollar-for-dollar match of “in-kind” for
$24.5 million• The total value of the grant is $49 million• However
– We receive $3.5 per year and it must be renewed each year. Justifications and documentation must be provided for continued funding.
– This amount must service our 9300 cohort students, along with their parents, and teachers. This also includes administrative expenses.
– This is a “seed” from the federal government.
GUA’s Six RegionsRegion 1
(Lanora Emziah, RC)
Region 2(Drs. Claudia Williams and
Prentiss Coleman, RCs)
Region 3(Elaine Munn, RC)
Region 4(Valerie Crawford,
RC)
Region 5(Dr. Samantha
Briggs, RC)
Phenix City Montgomery Public Schools
Butler County Wilcox County Perry County
Russell County Dallas County Demopolis City Hale CountyMacon County Selma City Choctaw
CountyPickens County
Bullock County Lowdnes County
Sumter County Greene County
Pike County Linden City
Barbour County/City
Marengo County
What is GUA’s Goal?
• The overlying goal for this project is to significantly increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.
• The national average for the PLAN is 17.2; Alabama state average is 16.7; for BBR 13.4 – 16.7
ACT Scores Required for Al Schools
School ACT
UA 21
AU 24
UAB 20
UWA 19
Troy 20
UM 20
ASU 18
% of BBR Students Not Prepared for the Rigor of College
Academic Milestone % Not Meeting Milestone
Graduate high school 28 %
Enroll in college following their senior year of high school
54 %
Place in college level math 18 %
Place in college level English 8 %
GUA Objectives
All GUA activities are to align with the grant’s five objectives.
Objective 1
To increase the academic performance and preparation for post secondary education for
GEAR UP students
Objective 2
To increase the rate of high school graduation and enrollment in post secondary education for
GEAR UP students
Objective 3To increase GEAR UP students’ and their
families’ knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation, and financing
Objective 4
To increase the percentage of GEAR UP students who enroll in and succeed in postsecondary
education
Objective 5
To increase the preparation of the project teachers and staff who teach and serve
GEAR UP students
HOW WILL GUA ADDRESS THESE OBJECTIVES?
GUA- A Collaborative Effort (planned by school’s team)
Student
School
Community
Targeted additional resources
Parents
“Team Approach”• TAVs-baseline data (desktop audit & TAV report)• PLCs– Input from school level stakeholders– Integrating pre-existing initiatives with GUA activities…it’s a
matter of efficiency– Planning of activities based on school schedule and
feasibility• Outside resources integrated– GUA suppliers– GUA partners– Business/community connections– Faith-based/non-profit initiatives– Grant writing
GUA School Teams• Regional Coordinators• Site Facilitators• Team-Leaders• School Administrator• Counselor• Department chairs or designees (core and
elective)• Parent representative• Community leader• Business leader
What is a “Regional Coordinator”?
• GUA identified personnel assigned to a specific region• Acts as the liaison between GUA PI and PD.• Works with “partners” to connect school needs with partner offerings• Coordinates/facilitates regional meetings, trainings, and professional
development activities• Works with districts and schools to insure compliance of GUA objectives• Meets with district and school administrators to insure positive
relationships between GUA and school personnel • Oversees activities/duties of the site facilitators and team leaders of the
designated region• Acts as the first level of approval for GUA activities and/or expenses• Helps create monthly and weekly reports for GUA, district, and school use• Helps identify “outside” enrichment programs and scholarship
opportunities for GUA cohort students• Helps site facilitators and team leaders as needed
What is the “Site Facilitator”?• GUA/School District identified personnel assigned to a specific school site• Acts as the liaison between GUA PI, PD, and Regional Coordinators• Helps to identify “site specific” needs and coordinates activities associated with
addressing those needs, to include teacher PD.• Identifies possible community resources that may assists with GUA objectives• Works with community organizations and other entities to address site specific
needs• Helps coordinate/facilitate additional student, faculty, parent evaluations• Provides instructional mentoring-training• Coordinates team meetings• Gathers and analyzes school data• Helps create monthly and weekly reports for GUA, district, and school use• Helps coordinate/facilitate parent workshops geared towards helping parents
become better prepared to support their child’s educational process and success
What is the “Team Leader”?• Administrator recommended active faculty
member• Works closely with “site facilitator” in identifying
and coordinating GUA activities• Helps “site facilitator” become acclimated with
school culture and climate• Helps facilitate team meetings • Helps facilitate faculty professional development• Provides instructional mentoring-training• Helps with GUA school reports
Communication Flow
Current GUA Suppliers• ScholarCentric (Resiliency analysis and reports, PD)• ePrep (ACT computerized training for instruction and
preparation)• Kaplan (PD/materials)• Southern Regional Education Board-SREB (Site visits, baseline
data for school team data driven decision process, PD)• Regions Bank (Literacy Training, family incentives)• Spectrum (Evaluation and fund-raising)• Auburn University (Coordinators of summer programs-
enrichment and remediation)
Partners• University of Alabama at Birmingham• Auburn University• University of Alabama• Alabama State University• University of Montevallo• Troy University• University of West Alabama• Alabama 2-Year College System• Alabama State Department of Education• Black Belt Community Foundation• Regions Bank• AHEC (Alabama Health Education Centers)• ALHAC (Alabama Health Action Coalition
Possible Community Resources• Partnering with community based organizations
(boys/girls club), faith-based community (after school programs), fraternities/sororities
• Local Business-Soliciting incentives and fund-raising opportunities, providing input in team meetings, providing real-world experiences for student learning
• Industries- Making connections to leverage real-world connections, job shadowing, internships, and scholarship opportunities
GUA example activities for students
• Programs to Prepare Students Academically for College • Academic Advising• Tutoring• Summer Activities: Core Subject Summer Academy, Transition
Programs • Dual Enrollment, remediation, enrichment, and advanced
track• Increase rigor in coursework • Introducing Students to Higher Education: College Tours,
College Bridge Program• Preparing and Taking College Entrance Exams
GUA example activities for teachers
• Individual and Group Professional Development• Instructional Coaching• Collaborative planning using internal and
external resources to increase rigor and transference
• Celebrations for innovative teaching
GUA example activities for school counselors
• College Counseling Training Initiative: increase the knowledge and skills of counselors who advise students on their postsecondary aspirations.
• Work with the ALSDE (College and Career Ready counselors, PD, additional resources)
GUA example activities for parents
• Student and Parent Academic, Career, and Financial Counseling through College and Career Readiness & Financing Workshops
• 21st Century Certificates at Parent/Student Kickoff
GUA’s Focus
• The central goal of GEAR UP is to significantly increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.
• Programs and initiatives must be aligned to this central goal.
GUA’s Focus
• The federal government mandates that most of GEAR UP activities are tied to direct services for our students.
• We appreciate any suggestions you may have for GEAR UP Activities. Please make sure your suggestions are tied to our objectives and student services.