Grant team members meet at annual conference
(Press Release 08-20-10)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

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U.S. Department of Education Program Officer Sariane Leigh (2nd from left) recently visited with Eastern Oklahoma State College Vice President of Student Affairs Vic Woods, Eastern GEAR UP Project Director Linda Morgan, Eastern GEAR UP Data Analyst Cheryl Roberts, Eastern GEAR UP Education Coordinator Peery Lee, and Eastern GEAR UP Project Assistant Helen Scott during the 2010 NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference—GEARing UP for Excellence: Linking Programs, Policy & Practice—in Washington, DC. Leigh works closely with Eastern’s GEAR UP Project Director Linda Morgan to ensure successful implementation of the GEAR UP grant.

In 2006, Eastern was awarded a $6,777,600 GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow grant. In 2010–2011, Eastern’s grant will target 10th and 11th grade students at Antlers, Bokoshe, Buffalo Valley, Canadian, Clayton, Crowder, Haileyville*, Hartshorne*, Indianola, Keota, Kiowa, LeFlore, McAlester*, McCurtain, Moyers, Panola, Pittsburg, Quinton, Rattan*, Red Oak, Talihina*, Whitesboro, and Wilburton (*11th grade students only). The 23 schools are located in five counties in southeastern Oklahoma and covers 2,667 square miles.

Goals for Eastern’s grant include: 1) Increase academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education by creating more effective learning environments;
2) Increase the rate of high school graduation and participation in postsecondary education by providing college and career advisement; and 3) Increase students’ and their families knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation and financing.

“Eastern’s GEAR UP staff work diligently with partner school personnel to provide services for students and teachers,” said GEAR UP Project Director Linda Morgan. “We’re here to assist the schools and enhance opportunities.”

In the four years, the grant has sponsored tutoring at partner schools; provided SkillsTutor software for cohort schools; purchased TI–Nspire calculators for “Algebra Ready” students; purchased TI–30XII calculators for cohort students to use on the Oklahoma End–of–Instruction Tests; enrolled 8th grade students in okcollegestart.org; sponsor two field trips per academic year; Provided academic incentives to students; provided EOSC athletic and theater production passes; and conducted summer camps––2007 GEAR UP “Camp Galaxy”; 2008 GEAR UP “iLead”;2009 GEAR UP “Get Loud—It’s Game Time”; and 2010 GEAR UP “Fill It Up.”

In 2007 and 2008, the grant partnered with Eastern Oklahoma State College, Kiamichi Technology Center and various McAlester businesses to sponsor the Career & College Tour for 8th grade students. The GEAR UP staff work with schools’ counselors to enroll students in Oklahoma’s Promise. Staff have also implemented 16 Summers curriculum, provided various workshops for students including study skills, test taking strategies and financial literacy. Grant monies have also provided technology to cohort schools.

In addition, the grant has sponsored numerous professional development workshops for cohort educators including NASA—April 2007; FISH! for Schools, Minneapolis, MN—April 2007; Ruby Payne Workshop—November 2007; SkillsTutor Workshop—December 2007; NASA I—February 2008; NASA II—February 2008; Texas Instruments—May 2008; FISH! for Schools, Gore, OK—June 2008;        SkillsTutor Workshop—September 2008; Love and Logic® Workshop—September 2008; SmartBoard Workshop—November 2008; Texas Instruments—January 2009; FISH! for Schools: Diving Deeper, Gore, OK—July 2009; Texas Instruments Workshop—July 2009; SkillsTutor Workshop—August 2009; Love & Logic® Workshop in McAlester—August 2009; Love & Logic® Workshop in Wilburton—September 2009; FISH! for Schools, Seattle, WA—October 2009; Ruby Payne Workshop—January 2010; and Texas Instruments––August 2010.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to work with dedicated educators to provide educational opportunities for students,” added Morgan. “We are looking forward to another great year!”