Texas GEAR UP Resources for College Awareness, Readiness, and Success

Texas GEAR UPResources for College Awareness,

Readiness, and Success

Kristen ReynoldsState Project Director, Texas GEAR UP

May 12, 2010

About Texas GEAR UP

• Six-year federal initiative focused on early college awareness and readiness

• Multiple individuals and entities form support system for students

• Includes activities in two strands: statewide initiatives and multifaceted interventions in the Corpus Christi area

Statewide Initiatives• Provides tools and resources to assist educators, parents,

students, and the community with postsecondary preparation

• Multimedia toolkits address a variety of topics, including rigorous curriculum, parent involvement, college and career linkages, and mentoring

• Designed to be used in schools that may or may not have GEAR UP grants

• Web resources– www.texasgearup.com (Build Your Own Toolkit)– www.ownyourownfuture.com

Poll

Toolkits

• Pathways to Success (2001-2002)• Education Partners (2002-2003)• Beyond High School (2003-2004)• Transitions (2004-2005)• Ready for College (2005-2006)• College Planning Portfolio (2006-2007)• Mentors, Mindsets, and Role Models (2008-

2009)

www.texasgearup.com/byot

Build Your Own Toolkit Categories

• College Readiness• Educational Challenges• First Generation• Spanish• Teaching Strategies

• Academic• Career Exploration• Financial Aid• GEAR UP Programs• Mentoring• Parent Involvement

College Planning Portfolio

• Designed for use with parents and students in middle and early high school

• Repository for important information• Tool for completing college applications and

scholarship essays• Variety of implementation strategies• Provided in English and Spanish

New Projects

• 2009 ToolkitMentors, Mindsets and Role Models

• Own Your Own Future

Poll

www.texasgearup.com/mentor

Own Your Own Future

DRAFT

DRAFT

DRAFT

Identifying Interests

DRAFT

DRAFT

DRAFT

DRAFT

DRAFT

College Admissions Testing

Educator Resources

DRAFT

DRAFT

Parent Resources

• Companion to the student site• Guides for middle and high school parents• Resources in English and Spanish• Scheduled for release in late summer 2010

Questions?

Texas GEAR UPwww.texasgearup.com

www.ownyourownfuture.com

Kristen Reynoldskristen.reynolds@tea.state.tx.us