CEOP Partners with Topeka Schools to Establish GEAR UP

LAWRENCE — In partnership with Topeka Public Schools, University of Kansas specialists from the Center for Educational Opportunity Programs (CEOP) in the Achievement & Assessment Institute this spring began a seven-year, $2.24 million project to serve 720 students in the high school graduating classes of 2020 and 2021; these students currently are sixth- and seventh-graders at Chase and Eisenhower middle schools, and they will eventually matriculate to Highland Park High School.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) employs intensive, hands-on efforts to transform youths from disadvantaged backgrounds — low-income households, first-generation students and students with disabilities — into college success stories. They start with students in middle school, following cohorts of sixth- and seventh-graders through high school and their freshman years of college. The goal is to encourage and empower students and their parents, teach personal resilience and change the climates of their schools prepare them for college.

The GEAR UP grant for the Highland Park area of USD 501 middle and high schools provides $320,000 a year for seven years. Director Tonya Waller brings 10 years of experience in CEOP’s Kansas City, Kansas, GEAR UP programs; she is assisted by Site Coordinator Dalton Allen. Already, the KU team has developed a partnership with Washburn University’s education department that provides pre-service educators as dedicated, academic day tutors in core classes that do not have a paraprofessional or co-teacher.

“We work closely with the school principals, as well as district lead teachers, and liaisons in math, English, science and social studies,” Waller said. “The primary focus is student support. Our GEAR UP initiatives aim to nurture students’ development, curiosity and social and academic skill sets to foster expectations of learning beyond high school.”

On May 18 at Eisenhower Middle School, GEAR UP Highland Park Cluster held its kickoff celebration with an all-school assembly and keynote address from Carlos Ojeda Jr., CEO of Cool Speak. Ojeda encouraged students to embrace the power to determine their own destinies, then presented a “Jeopardy”-style game show called ThinkFast that mixed pop-culture trivia with math, science, literature and college knowledge. Ojeda returned in the evening for a family event focused on the importance of parental participation and influence in student success; the event drew more than 100 guests from 32 families.

CEOP and USD 501 have a longstanding and fruitful relationship, Waller said, noting several programs that serve Topeka students, including TRIO Upward Bound, TRIO Upward Bound Math & Science, TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers and Harvest of Hope Leadership Academy.

“We believe GEAR UP Highland Park Cluster will build on that strong partnership,” Waller said. “Our objectives include improved academic performance, more rigorous curriculum such as college advanced- placement classes, increased postsecondary enrollment and raised expectations for achievement among students, parents and teachers. We aim to build more of a college-bound culture in these schools.”