College Access Subgrants for K-12
GEAR UP awards subgrants to school districts to implement early intervention strategies that address specific local needs. GEAR UP trainer/coordinators work closely with each school district to ensure that the early intervention strategies are effective and research-based.
School districts that did not receive subgrant funding in Phase I of GEAR UP are eligible in Phase II to apply for expanded one-year subgrants to be awarded annually through 2010.
2007 College Access Subgrant Recipients
Ardmore Middle School will partner with Communities in Schools and Ardmore Higher Education Center for “H.O.P.E. – Heralding Oklahoma’s Promise and Parent Expectations.” They will implement the Ruby Payne and Thinking Maps programs. In addition, grant funds will help increase the number of students participating in Oklahoma’s Promise and improve the academic performance of all students measured by EXPLORE and Criterion Referenced Testing (CRT) data.
Blackwell Public Schools will partner with the Blackwell Chamber of Commerce/Blackwell Industrial Authority and Northern Oklahoma College for “College Bound.” They will implement the Ruby Payne and LOGIC programs. In addition, the grant will fund seminars to educate students and parents about Oklahoma’s Promise and the value of the EXPLORE assessment. Also, funding will be used to create career days for fourth- and fifth-grade students, sponsor a financial aid night and host college campus tours.
Canute Public Schools will partner with the Canute Lions Club and Southwestern Oklahoma State University for “Canute GEAR UP College Access Subgrant.” They will implement the Thinking Maps program. In addition, grant funds will help provide ACT prep classes for juniors and seniors, strengthen district curriculum alignment and allow students to attend a research paper study day at SWOSU.
Dewey Public Schools will partner with the Dewey Pilot Club and Rogers State University for “PFS @ DPS: Planning for Success at Dewey Public Schools.” They will implement the LOGIC program. In addition, grant funds will be used for a student College Power Prep ACT Success Workshop, and parent/student workshops for each high school class that will address college prep topics such as Oklahoma’s Promise, taking the right classes, high school credit, concurrent enrollment and planning a smooth transition from junior high into high school.
Earlsboro Public Schools will partner with the district’s parent/academic booster club and Oklahoma Baptist University to implement the Ruby Payne program to help the faculty and administration understand why students from generational poverty are having difficulty achieving success in the education environment. In addition, grant funds will be used for math, reading and ACT tutoring sessions, college field trips that will explain the “hidden rules” of college and the importance of good study skills, and establish parent support groups for college-bound students.
Eldorado Public School s will partner with Envision Eldorado’s Excellence and Western Oklahoma State College for “GEAR UP for Academic Success.” They will implement the Ruby Payne program. In addition, the grant will help district staff align Eldorado’s curriculum with standardized tests, provide planners for high school students, send seventh- through 12 th-grade students on college tours and host college/career planning workshops for students and parents.
Elmore City/Pernell Public Schools will partner with the Elmore City/Pernell Foundation for Excellence and East Central University. They will implement the Ruby Payne program. In addition, the grant will help the district buy graphing calculators and offer after-school tutoring to enhance students’ math education. Also, the grant will bring to the district ACT training workshops for eighth- through 12 th-grade students.
Fairview Public Schools will partner with the Fairview Chamber of Commerce and Northwestern Oklahoma State University. They will implement the LOGIC program. In addition, grant funds will be used to increase students’ and families’ knowledge of postsecondary education options by designing programs to educate both parents and students about entrance requirements, career opportunities, financial assistance and academic preparation.
Gore Public Schools will partner with the Boys and Girls Club LEAP After-School Program and Connors State College for the “Gore Public Schools GEAR UP Program.” The district will implement the Ruby Payne program. In addition, grant funds will create a teacher-as-advisor mentoring program and an honors/awards celebration ceremony. Also, grant funds will help provide a career exploration program and sessions for students on college preparation.
Keys Public Schools will partner with Quest Workforce and Northeastern State University for “Keys to the Future.” They will implement the LOGIC program. In addition, grant funds will provide remediation classes for core curriculum subjects, an ACT preparation class and workshops to promote Oklahoma’s Promise. Also, the grant will offer resources toward college awareness counseling, college fair attendance and campus tours.
Lawton Public Schools will partner with Cameron University for four subgrant projects at middle schools: “GEAR UP Central,” “GEAR UP Eisenhower,” “GEAR UP MacArthur” and “GEAR UP Tomlinson.” The projects will implement the Ruby Payne, Thinking Maps and LOGIC programs. Also, the grant will work with another college access program, Open Doors to help host college preparation workshops for students and parents. In addition, Cameron University will provide professional development on working with students who will be the first in their family to attend college.
Mid-Del Schools’ Jarman Middle School will partner with the Jarman Parent Teacher Student Association and Rose State College for “Rockets GEAR UP for Blast Off: A Mission Toward Higher Education.” They will implement the Ruby Payne program. In addition, grant funds will establish JPTSA parent night activities that will include teaching parents and students to utilize a student agenda book to facilitate communication and keep everyone on track for college success. Also, the grant will help fund after-school tutoring programs and additional professional development for teachers to increase student participation and academic success in college preparatory classes.
Minco Public Schools will partner with the Hispanic Mission of First Baptist Church and Redlands Community College for “Bulldog Success.” They will implement the Ruby Payne program. In addition, grant funds will send two teachers to the Heartland Hispanic Conference, which will address issues and strategies pertaining to the particular needs of Hispanic students. Also, grant funds will be used to purchase or develop Spanish materials to help students and their families learn more about the ACT, careers and being a good student. Other uses for grant funds include hosting summer camps for students to explore career opportunities, campus tours and financial aid nights.
Nowata Public Schools will partner with the Living Word Family Church and Rogers State University. They will implement the Ruby Payne program. In addition, grant funds will implement professional development workshops, which will help teachers gain an understanding of current teaching methods and strategies for math and science classrooms, purchase supplies for math and science classrooms, provide transportation for students and parents to five different Oklahoma universities for campus visits and four parent meetings regarding college preparation.
Sallisaw Public Schools will partner with the Sequoyah County Boys and Girls Club and Carl Albert State College for “Sallisaw High School GEAR UP.” They will implement the Ruby Payne and LOGIC Professional Development programs. In addition, grant funds will implement class instruction at the freshman and senior levels to increase student awareness of postsecondary opportunities and host ACT preparation, study skills and classroom guidance workshops, parent nights and career fairs.
Springer Public Schools will partner with the Springer City Council and Murray State College. They will implement the Ruby Payne and Thinking Maps programs. In addition, grant funds will help conduct a parent leadership institute for parents to learn the basic steps of high school success and information on how to gain college access, establish tutoring sessions for students, create a job shadowing program and develop a brochure to promote Springer Public Schools and the value of a college degree. Also, funds will be used to promote enrollment in Oklahoma’s Promise and to utilize an extensive on-demand digital library to find and integrate digital video and images into the teachers’ lectures.
Tahlequah Public Schools will partner with the Boys and Girls Club of Tahlequah and Northeastern State University for “Project Teachers as Learners.” They will implement the Ruby Payne and Thinking Maps programs. In addition, grant funds will be used to host professional development workshops for teachers to improve their ability to differentiate instruction for students from many cultures, how to focus on ways to improve math and reading instruction, and learn how to differentiate instruction to meet the individual needs of students involved in after-school tutoring.
Thomas-Fay-Custer Unified Schools will partner with Multi-County Youth Services and Southwestern Oklahoma State University for “T.O.R.C.H. – Taking on Rigorous and Challenging Horizons.” They will implement the LOGIC program. In addition, grant funds will help support the Great Expectations Summer Institute, which provides teaching tools based on current educational research and best practices in education and youth development. Also, grant funds will provide resources to enhance pre-enrollment procedures for ninth- through 12 th-grade students, expand an informal financial planning seminar for senior parents and students into a college/career night and help prepare students for the ACT.
Weleetka Public Schools will partner with the Creek Nation and Oklahoma State University – Okmulgee for “Preparing Weleetka Students for Success.” They will implement the Ruby Payne and LOGIC programs. In addition, grant funds will support ACT teacher training/student prep classes and summer school for third- through eighth-grade students who fail the CRT test in math and reading. Also, the grant will provide resources for summer enrichment programs for elementary and high school students, parent dinners to explain the EXPLORE test and the importance of choosing the right classes, community workshops and a book study of “What Works in Schools” for teachers.
Wynona High School will partner with the Wynona Chamber of Commerce and Oklahoma State University for “ Phoenix.” They will implement the Ruby Payne and Thinking Maps programs. In addition, grant funds will help train teachers and provide them with materials to enhance after-school and summer school programs. Also, grant funds will provide resources for the district to work with a content specialist to develop new teaching strategies, take students and parents on a college day trip to OSU, host evening meetings for families interested in learning more about financial aid and sponsor volunteers to visit classrooms to discuss career options.
View 2011 College Access Subgrant Recipients.
View 2010 College Access Subgrant Recipients.
View 2009 College Access Subgrant Recipients.
View 2008 College Access Subgrant Recipients.
View 2006 College Access Subgrant Recipients.