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LOGAN, Utah (AP) — Utah State University is using a $32 million grant to launch a program that will track thousands of middle schoolers with the goal of keeping them on a college-bound path.
USU professors are leading the USU STARS! GEAR UP program, which will offer educational resources to 3,000 students and follow them for the next seven years, reported The Deseret News (http://bit.ly/1GpXqpS).
The program will involve students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch from 11 Utah schools, including some in rural districts. GEAR UP will also involve the Davis, Granite and Logan districts as well as two charter schools.
Program leaders hope to see improvements in academic performance, high school graduation rates and desires to enroll in college.
"The facts are pretty clear. When we look at dropout rates, low-income students are more likely to drop out of high school. So they're not even ready for college," said USU professor James Dorward, one of the directors for the new program.
He said the program will follow students through their first year of college to ensure a smooth transition.
"Students have these dreams. We want to match up these opportunities with those dreams and aspirations so we can help them realize their goals," he said.
Through the initiative, students will learn what to expect at college and get help for taking more advanced classes. Only about 15 percent of students in the schools currently enroll in advanced courses.
Professors leading the program say they also hope to open parents' eyes to the idea that college is attainable for their children. GEAR UP will teach students about the type of financial help available to them.
"Getting them on a college campus early does a lot of things to help break down some of those misnomers about the university campus. So we make sure that they get a behind-the-scenes tour of the campus," said USU professor Eric Packenham, another GEAR UP leader. "It really just opens up their opportunities (so they'll) say: 'I can do this.'"
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Information from: Deseret News, http://www.deseretnews.com
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