Duval County Public Schools: eAgenda Manager
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AGENDA - Curriculum and Instructional Services

Title: 3.  GEAR UP AGREEMENT 2005-2006

Requested Action:

1.  APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GEAR UP GRANT AT RIBAULT HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE 2005-2006 SCHOOL YEAR IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $29,160.

2.  AUTHORIZE THE BOARD CHAIRPERSON AND THE SUPERINTENDENT TO AFFIX THEIR SIGNATURES TO THE AGREEMENT UPON APPROVAL AS TO FORM.

Summary Explanation and Background:

The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) federal grant will be in its seventh year of implementation at Ribault High School in 2005-2006.  The GEAR UP grant follows two cohorts of students from grades 7 through 12 and provides them each year with tutoring activities, experiences on college campuses in the summer, individual and small-group academic advising and counseling, and informational meetings with parents.  These activities strive to meet the goal of having as many students from these two cohorts as possible apply for and enter college following high school graduation. 

The SOAR counselors from the University of North Florida are students seeking their Master’s degree in school counseling.  This agreement and partnership with UNF provides for the following activities by the UNF SOAR counselors as part of the implementation of the GEAR UP grant at Ribault in 2005-2006:

  • Classroom guidance lessons and small-group academic advising and counseling sessions for all 12th graders at Ribault (a total of approximately 5 hours per student)
  • A parent workshop for 12th grade parents during the Fall semester providing information on scholarship and financial aid opportunities, application and registration procedures, and academic requirements; anticipated 150 parents served
  • A Career Fair during Spring semester for all 12th grade students

In addition to the activities of the SOAR counseling students from UNF, other GEAR UP activities at Ribault in 2005-2006 will include:

  • Tutoring during the school day and on Saturdays; anticipated 150 students served
  • Help in preparing for the SAT, PSAT, and ACT testing; anticipated 100 students served
  • Tours of college and universities campuses; anticipated 75 students served
  • Informational meetings for parents on college application/registration, financial aid, and academic criteria for college entrance

Since school year 2000-2001, the following services have been provided at Ribault Middle and High Schools through the GEAR UP initiative:

  • Academic tutoring for students:  1,278 students
  • Academic advising and counseling provided by SOAR college students from UNF:  1,724 students
  • Tours of college campuses and universities:  275 students
  • Summer programs at Jacksonville University, FCCJ, and Edward Waters College:  348 students
  • Career fairs:  1,762 students
  • Attendance at cultural events (plays, museums, concerts):  402 students
  • Parents meetings:  827 parents
  • In-service for teachers:  85 teachers
  • Mentors for students:  76 mentors

The amount of funding in this year's agreement with GEAR UP partners represents a decrease of $135,723, as the Ribault grant is in its final year of implementation with UNF as the sole outside partner.  An internal evaluation is done each year in the Ribault GEAR UP Program.  That evaluation will be available in the Board office prior to the Board workshop.

New Century Commission Recommendation/OPPAGA Recommendation/Council of Great City Schools Recommendation:

R6, R112

Financial Impact:

Expenditure of $29,160 in GEAR UP grant funding

For Additional Information, contact:

Kris Larsen                858-6080

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