Program Officer, Ann McNeal Passes Away

Through her work with GEAR UP, Ann was responsible for grantees in 12 states: IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, MT, OH, WI and WY. Before her work with GEAR UP Ann worked for the Office of Special Education Programs as a compliance officer. In Pittsburgh, she taught special education in a middle school and taught college students in Virginia. In addition, she also worked as a director in the corporate community. Ann held master’s degrees in special education from Pennsylvania State University and in vocational rehabilitation from the University of Wisconsin. She was a friend to the GEAR UP Kentucky program and she will be missed.

God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around you & whispered come with me. With tearful eyes, we watched and saw you pass away. Although we love you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, he only takes the best (anonymous).

NOTICE: Scholarship Application Due Date Change for Schools Affected by Weather

In light of the schools that are out due to inclement weather we have pushed the deadline to have in completed applications from December 14^th to January 10^th.

This is only for those areas with schools closed due to inclement weather. If your area has experienced some of these issues please inform those schools of the changes to the deadline. However, if your schools have not closed due to weather then the deadline for applications in to central office is still December 17^th.  

Because some areas won’t have applications in until January, the date for announcing winners will be pushed back a week from Jan 21^st to Jan 28^th.

February 11^th will still be the deadline for P.A’s to submit the winners from their area who (with a parent) plan to attend the Institute.

The Council on Postsecondary Education will be closed Thursday, 11/11/2010, in observance of Veteran’s Day and will be closed Friday,  11/12/10, in observance of a statewide furlough day - a budget balancing measure. Council offices will re-open for business on Monday, 11/15/10.

November 5, 2010                                                                                 

Drive the Dream Scholarship Applications will be mailed to host sites early next week! Be sure that all eligible students apply.

Budget Amendment Form has been updated. Click here to download the latest version.

GEAR UPdates

October 13, 2010                                                  Days left in grant: 322           
Clay County High School walk-through has been moved to November 16. 

Paying for the ACT test from GEAR UP Funds  

GEAR UP funds may be used to pay for eligible 12th grade students who want to re-take the ACT and have exhausted all other available fee waivers. Staff may request a 2010-2011 budget modification for this item only after all funds in the budget (in the materials category in this case) have been exhausted, and presuming that all funds in all remaining categories (excluding salary/benefits) are projected to be spent. If a GEAR UP Kentucky site pays the ACT fees for students, documentation must be kept on file in the regional GEAR UP office and must be made available upon request by the CPE offices or an auditor.  Documentation must include a list of students by school and grade level along with each student’s identification number (whether SS number or KDE student ID—you must choose only one and use it for all students).  For evaluation purposes, it would be helpful to obtain and keep on a file a copy of the students’ test report after the ACT test has been scored and returned to the student.

GEAR UP Kentucky-Beyond 2011: Program Design Workgroups

Rationale

GEAR UP staff have been asked to serve on selected workgroups to assist in the development of program strategies by recommending program syllabi in a number of areas.   The charge of the workgroup is to develop a syllabus (course plan) that addresses the program strategy[1] assigned using research-based findings to suggest topics to include, methodologies to use, resources to provide and activities that school personnel and parents may use to reinforce the skills addressed in the selected program strategy or area.

Why ask staff for input?

Based on staff development activities and practices at the various sites, there appears to be  agreement that certain  strategies are essential if the GEAR UP program is to be successful in moving the students with significant challenges from where they are, to enter into a postsecondary institution or a career.   In particular, the May 2010 staff retreat ended with significant consensus on the skills students must master by ninth grade, and which skills are most important for students to maximize their learning skills. 

What is more, staff have already recommended that there must be more consistency in the manner in which GEAR UP serves students.  To do so, suggests that a program strategy comprises a set of actions that are documented and uniformly implemented across the project from one site to another.  Although  sites currently report successful implementation of certain program strategies,  most have yet to document the action steps (there is no syllabus); and there is no evaluation nor validation of the results.  Furthermore, there is no indication that implementation procedures are the same even when the same  strategies are employed.  The design workgroups, therefore, will provide a structure within which to standardize all critical practices across GEAR UP Kentucky and the evaluation of  results.

Research and Experts

GEAR UP staff in a workgroup will research and develop the rationale for the topics (syllabus) selected to cover an assigned program strategy and will consider the assessment tools necessary to be included to evaluate results.  When appropriate and cost effective, outside experts may be invited to join workgroups and present arguments for including a variety of resources or tools.  Additionally for certain committees;  existing GEAR UP Kentucky practitioners may be invited to present reports that describe implementation practices, discusses data gathering and results, and detail what needs to be changed.

Additionally, experts from (potential) partner organizations also may be invited to present information in discussions with the executive director and or the central staff.  Preliminary plans suggest that experts and practitioners will present information to inform the design of the following strategies:   College Readiness Assessments (including EPAS), Mentoring-4A-Focus, Summer Enrichment Programs and GEAR UP-2-College & Careers.  (The GEAR UP-2-Learn and Freshman Institute are transition programs and this workgroup is led by an expert facilitator.  It is currently comprised only of GUK staff—with a representative from each region.)

Purpose

The main purpose of this effort, then, is to gather information from a variety of perspectives to inform the design of a new GEAR UP project.  Specifically, the purpose of the committees is to inform and advise the executive director and central staff on recommended course of actions (syllabi) to implement the five new program strategies identified in the diagram below.  These recommendations must focus on standardization across the project and how to measure results (data collections).  The work of each workgroup or committee shall include consideration of the audience served as it is broadly defined in the GEAR UP regulations, and further defined below by GEAR UP Kentucky.  The committee, however; is not charged with recommending and shall not consider how staff is assigned nor how the project is organized.

Charge to Workgroup/Committee

Review the research and common practices in the area (program strategy) assigned, and develop a syllabus (course plan or curriculum) informed by the need in Kentucky and most promising practices. Each workgroup must develop/recommend:

• A detailed syllabus (curriculum or course plan) to achieve specific learning goals, that is, write a   complete course outline.
• The core competencies students will achieve upon completion of the program strategy and each of its components.

• The most critical learning objectives of the syllabus, and rank them.
• The assessments required to measure desired outcomes, and rank them.
• The optimum duration for the completion of the syllabus (time frame required to present all critical topics in the syllabus)
• Activities for school staff and parents to use to reinforce student learning.

Whom Will GEAR UP Serve

Workgroup Design Areas

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[1] Program strategies referenced here are the five strategies that will become the core work of the new GEAR UP grant.  The strategies are: (1) GEAR UP-2-Learn and The Freshman Institute; (2) College Readiness Assessments; (3) GEAR UP-2-College and Careers; (4) Summer Enrichment, and (5) Mentoring-4A-Focus.

Year 5 Final Progress Report link

Governor Beshear Proclaims GEAR UP Day

Kentucky's Governor, Steve Beshear proclaimed September 30, 2010 as GEAR UP Day in Kentucky.

Kentucky Governor Steven L. Beshear

In concert with National GEAR UP Day, GEAR UP schools across Kentucky are celebrating with with GEAR UP schools in 48 states to formally recognized the impact and promise of the 11 year-old, federally-funded college and career readiness program. 

Acknowledging the importance of a well-educated population and the role that collaborative programs such as GEAR UP play in developing a community and a culture that both inspires and supports college dreams, Governor Beshear made Kentucky's recognition official in a proclamation that reads:

WHEREAS, Education is the key to Kentucky’s 21st century economy, and sustainable, rewarding careers and higher levels of educational attainment require Kentuckians who are college and career ready; and

WHEREAS, Senate Bill 1, passed in 2009, brings together educational partners who are focused and committed to advancing key education initiatives to impact college readiness and completion in Kentucky; and

WHEREAS, Kentucky’s K-12 system, its colleges and universities, and the Education Professional Standards Board – along with educational partners such as the GEAR UP Alliance and others – have entered an era of unprecedented focus on college and career readiness; and

WHEREAS, The “GEAR UP” program works with community partners, schools, teachers, parents and students to create a sustainable college-going culture in more than 160 Kentucky schools; and

WHEREAS, GEAR UP serves as a bridge between middle, secondary and postsecondary systems for more than 30,000 of Kentucky’s students;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVEN L. BESHEAR, Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, do hereby proclaim September 30, 2010, as

GEAR UP DAY

 in Kentucky.

DONE AT THE CAPITOL, in the City of Frankfort this 29^th day of September, in the year of Our Lord Two Thousand Ten and in the 219^th year of the Commonwealth.

Signed, Steven L. Beshear, Governor

Planning for new grant

>  Note from the Executive Director 

With regard to a new GEAR UP Kentucky grant structure and the prospect for future employment, it remains too early to provide any kind of preview of the new grant because frankly it has not been written.  Based on the logic model I presented at our last staff meeting, it’s seems clear there will be some change to the structure of the program however just what those changes may be are not at all clear.  It is also reasonable to say that while the structure of the program may change, I anticipate there will be several positions  across the state.  Again to go beyond this without having a definitive management plan developed for the new program would truly be premature.

However, to give you a better picture of our grant planning activities, refer to the above link.

GEAR UPdates

September 22, 2010                                         Days left in grant: 344

• Kara Couch joins the central office team as new fiscal officer. She will manage contracts and post-award issues. Expenditure reports can now be send to her attention at karam.couch@ky.gov.

• CTL will begin high-school walkthroughs at the end of September. See complete schedule below. Note date change for Clay County to Oct. 12.

• Any GEAR UP student choosing to re-take the ACT may apply for GEAR UP funds to pay the testing fee after all other fee waivers have been exhausted.

• September 30 is National GEAR UP Day! Post a blog on GEAR UP Today to let us know your ideas and/or plans for observing the day in your schools.Check out an event hosted by California GU at these links:

http://apps.cpe.ky.gov/temp_docs/gearup/NGUDSchools2010.pdf

http://apps.cpe.ky.gov/temp_docs/gearup/PressReleaseNGUD2010.pdf

• Year 5 Final Progress Report will be available on zoomerang next week. The deadline will be extended to about mid-October. Regional Staff will receive the link to complete the report in an email.

All-Staff Meeting - August 26th

GEAR UP Ky met in Louisville to kick-off the final year of the GUKII Grant. All staff (with one exception) met in Louisville, Kentucky to review the latest development of the grant development plan.

Key Discussion Points

• Site Updates
• Veggie, Supreme or Meat Lovers
• The Commonwealth Commitment/College Readiness
• Strategic Planning Logic Model
• GUK - Beyond 2011
• 7th Year (college vs 6th grade)
• New Programming Partner/Dennis Horn, CTL

Google Calendar for our GEAR UP Ky Sites

Organizing your schedule shouldn't be a burden. With Google Calendar, it's easy to keep track of life's important events all in one place.

1. Share your schedule

Let your co-workers, family, and friends see your calendar, and view schedules that others have shared with you. When you know when everyone is free or busy, scheduling is a snap.

2. Get your calendar on the go

With two-way syncing to your mobile phone's built-in calendar or a mobile version of Google Calendar that's made for the small screen, you can access your calendar while you're away from your desk.

3. Never forget another event again

Customizable reminders help you stay on schedule. You can choose to be notified by email or get a text message sent right to your mobile phone.

4. Send invitations and track RSVPs

Invite other people to events on your calendar. Guests can RSVP to your events by email or via Google Calendar.

5. Sync with your desktop applications

Access your calendar however and whenever you want by syncing events with Microsoft Outlook, Apple iCal and Mozilla Sunbird.

6. Work offline

Know where you're supposed to be even when you don't have internet access. With offline access, you can view a read-only version of your calendar no matter where you are.

7. All this is free?

Yep.

All-Staff Planning Retreat Notes - GEAR UP Ky Next Steps

GEAR UP Kentucky's All-Staff Retreat was held May 12-13 in Lexington, Ky. The two-day program was facilitated by Carol Blunt-White of CBW & Associates. the planning retreat was an assessment of where we are as a program and begin  looking forward to what is next.  The notes from the retreat are posted on GEAR UP Today and staff are encourage to review and provide ongoing comment.

A big thank you to Angie Roberts and the Louden Avenue YMCA for hosting us.

Carrie's Farewell Video

Update: 2010 GEAR UP Kentucky Drive the Dream Scholarship Event and Institute

REVISIONS TO PLAN AS OF, Friday February 5, 2010

Based on all staff discussions on Tuesday (February 2), the following decisions have been made. Completed information packets are being printed. An email version will be provided by end of day Friday. Packets will be mailed at the same time.

 

Students: Based on your confirmations on Tuesday, it appears all sites have submitted the names of scholarship winners who will attend the award event.

• This program—award event and Institute program is only for student winners of the 2010 GEAR UP Kentucky Drive the Dream Scholarship.
  
• All students registered for the event MUST attend the Institute the whole next day.
  
• Assuming 15 students per site, our total is 105 students—we are still clarifying lists between those registered online and the lists submitted to Carrie. We will contact you with any discrepancy by the end of the day today or on Monday (February 8).
  
• No siblings, cousins, aunts, any other kind of kids will be admitted to the award event or Institute.
  
• There will be no changes made to lists—additions or substitutions as of Tuesday (February 2) close of business. If a student cancels—contact Carrie immediately.
  
  
  
  

Parents: The goal of having the award event was to entice parents to attend the award event AND Institute. Far more parents have been registered than planned.

• This program—award event and Institute program is only for the parents or guardians of student winners of the 2010 GEAR UP Kentucky Drive the Dream Scholarship.
  
• All parents registered for the event also MUST attend the Institute the whole next day (March 5)—if a parent is registered but does not plan to attend the Institute the next day, contact Carrie immediately.
  
• Nearly 200 GUK parents were registered on Tuesday February 2. All parents (including guardians of students) registered as of that date will be extended invitations to attend both the Institute and award ceremony.
  
• Due to budget limitations, GEAR UP can only accommodate students and parents who have been registered since February 2^nd. No grandparents, uncles, cousins other adults related to students will be admitted to the award event or Institute.
  
• There will be no changes made to lists—additions or substitutions as of Tuesday (February 2) close of business. If a parent cancels—contact Carrie immediately.
  
  
  
  

EVENT Schedule:

• Reception—5:30 to 6:30 PM
  
• Award Ceremony—6:30 to 8:00 PM
  
• Mixer—8:00 to 9:00 PM
  
• Parent Leader Orientation—8:00 to 9:00 PM
  
• Student Orientation (all students who have arrived)—8:00 to 9:00 PM
  

Project Updates

2010 Annual Surveys

• Surveys will be distributed on January 21 at the end of the Stakeholders Meeting.
  
• PA's not attending Jan 21 meeting must send designee to be responsible meeting information and compliance with survey procedures
  
• Survey Deadline--completed surveys RETURN by February 19
  
• 2005-2009 Survey data analysis completed
  

   
   

 

GUK Drive the Dream Scholarship Award/Institute Program Activities

• Information Available Jan 29 during All-Staff Meeting:
  
  • Orientation DVD
    
  • Instructions for Students
    
  • Parent Invitation
    
  • Instructions for Parents with attachments
    
    • Agenda--schedule
      
    • Hotel Information
      
    • Site Staff Contact Information
      
    • Registration Materials
      
  • Pointers for local logistics
    
  • Releases and Waivers
    

     
     

    
     

Student and Parent Attendance—Scholarship Award Ceremony

• Scholarship winners are embargoed until March 3
  
• Do NOT preempt the public announcement of the scholarship program
  
• Discretely, inform students and parents about participation on March 4 event
  

• Embargoed list of winners available by site - January 15
  

 

 

2010 Institute Registration – ONLINE registration only

• GEAR UP Kentucky Staff must register all school personnel—middle school principals and HS personnel
  
• GEAR UP Kentucky staff MUST ALSO register—use teachers/general form only
  
  • http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CVPHGSL   for Principals and Counselors Registration
    
  •  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C7F96WL   for Teachers/General Registration
    
• GEAR UP Kentucky Staff must register all parents
  
• GEAR UP Kentucky Staff must register all students
  
  •  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C7P7TRY for Parent and Student Registration
    
  •  Registration site opens January 15 and CLOSES January 31
    
    • All rooming requests must be included in the online registration—registration will not be added manually
      

 

 

BUDGET AMENDMENTS—Anticipated Institute Costs

• PA's must estimate transportation costs for parents and students
  
• Submit estimate of cost (use excel document) to be submit – January 29
  
• Sites in need of additional funds for transportation must submit budget amendment –January 29
  
• All required information and cost justification must be provided at time of request for amendment
  
• All required signatures must be included
  

  
   

 

2010 ACTIVITY REPORT

• Test site to launch January 20
  
• PY-5 activities posts due by March 15