GEAR UP

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The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) State Grant is a seven-year federal initiative designed to increase early college awareness, readiness, and success for low-income and historically underrepresented students. The grant follows a cohort of students starting in grade 7 through their first year of post-secondary education. 

Nationally, GEAR UP outcomes have shown positive student gains for participants (e.g., students graduate from high school at higher rates than their peers, regardless of ethnicity or income, and attend college at higher rates). 

For more information about the federal grant program, visit the Department of Education’s GEAR UP.

Texas GEAR UP

TEA, as the governor-appointed agency to apply for the state grant in Texas, was awarded a GEAR UP state grant starting in 2025. The grant focuses on providing additional support to schools located within a rural or semi-rural community with a high economically disadvantaged student population.

Program Initiatives

Texas GEAR UP will expand students' preparation for college and career through multiple interrelated initiatives: 

  1. Promote early understanding of career opportunities and pathways by developing high-quality, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)-aligned curriculum and instructional materials for middle school educators and students; 
  2. Increase student access to individualized college and career advising through enhanced training and professional development for district staff and strategic partnerships with community organizations; 
  3. Develop and pilot an Effective Advising Framework (EAF) to offer districts a blueprint for developing and continuously improving a coordinated, high-impact, CCR Advising Program. 
  4. Ensure access to a portfolio of high-quality tools and resources that support the work of college and career advisors with resources for students, parents, and educators.

Participants

Texas GEAR UP provides targeted services to two specific student cohorts.  

The Primary Cohort consists of students who were in grade 7 during the 2025–26 school year. This Primary Cohort will receive services through their first year of postsecondary education (i.e., through the 2031–32 school year).  

The Priority Cohort of students consists of all other students in grades 9–12 attending the district high schools during each year of the seven-year grant (i.e., from school years 2027–32).  

The Texas GEAR UP Grant is currently working with over 2500 students a year from nine school districts in rural communities in East Texas, Northeast Texas, Central Texas, Southeast Texas, and the Gulf Coast region. The following lists the participating Texas GEAR UP districts and schools, organized by education service center (ESC) region. 

  • Crockett ISD

    • Crockett Middle School
    • Crockett High School

    Shepherd ISD 

    • Shepherd Middle School
    • Shepherd High School

    Willis ISD

    • Brabham Middle School
    • Lynn Lucas Middle School
    • Willis High School

  • Gladewater ISD

    • Gladewater Middle School
    • Gladewater High School

    Marshall ISD

    • Marshall Junior High 
    • Marshall High School

    San Augustine ISD

    • San Augustine Middle School
    • San Augustine High School

    Tyler ISD

    • Moore Middle School
    • Boulter Middle School
    • Tyler High School

  • Corsicana ISD

    • Corsicana Middle School
    • Corsicana High School

    McGregor ISD

    • Isbill Junior High 
    • McGregor High School

Program Partners

Technical Assistance Partners