The College of Education’s Institute for Public School Initiatives (IPSI) has been awarded two seven-year grants from the U.S. Department of Education that total over $50 million which will provide academic, social and financial preparation for more than 9,000 Texas students per year from seventh grade to their first year of college.
The two grants are part of the Department of Education’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) initiative, which has worked with IPSI since 2012. These awards make the University of Texas at Austin the largest GEAR UP grant holder in the state of Texas, with a total of five GEAR UP partnership grants serving more than 24,000 students across 21 school districts.
GEAR UP is a federal discretionary grant program that provides funds to states and partners to provide services at middle and high school campuses with high poverty rates with the goal of improving college readiness and postsecondary educational success for low-income students.
“I’ve witnessed students who never thought of higher education achieve technical degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and who are on their way to becoming doctors and other professionals,” said Matt Orem, executive director of IPSI at UT Austin. This program has changed lives, and generations of Texas families who seek a brighter future and better life have been given that opportunity.”
The new awards will allow IPSI to partner with nine school districts, seven of which are classified as rural, with the goal of increasing college and career readiness among disadvantaged students and learners with social emotional learning distress or who are at risk of educational failure.
“Making these resources available to children who otherwise would not be able to access such impactful services throughout their academic journey will not only transform their futures but will make a positive generational impact in their communities,” said College of Education Dean Charles Martinez.
The two grants, titled “All In” and “Mindset College Ready,” will serve 28 middle schools and 23 high in the districts of San Felipe Del Rio CISD, Eagle Pass ISD, Southwest ISD, Somerset ISD, Lockhart ISD, Lufkin ISD, Livingston ISD, Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD and Aldine ISD.
Students who are classified as at-risk of educational failure, low-income, first-generation, English learners or students with disabilities will be eligible to begin the programs in the seventh grade and will have access to these resources and supports through their first year of college.
“Working with students from diverse backgrounds, whether from border communities, rural areas, or marginalized groups within our biggest cities, reminds me daily of the profound potential they hold,” said Michael King, director of the All In GEAR UP program. “Each student has a unique set of challenges, but they all share the same right to access opportunities that can transform their futures.”
According to King, the program hopes to ensure students not only see college and career pathways as possible but that they feel empowered to pursue them with confidence. “We are all in, investing in their academic, emotional, and social well-being because we are investing in the future leaders who will reshape their communities,” King said.
Through this program, the institute help increase high school graduation rates and participation in postsecondary education by helping students and families be aware of their postsecondary education options and providing them with unique academic, social and emotional learning opportunities.
These programs will include classes in financial literacy, STEM, technology use, social emotional learning and mental health, advanced placement classes, academic intervention, experiential learning, tutoring, mentoring, counseling and college readiness.
“These grants will have a lasting impact, opening doors to postsecondary opportunities and empowering students to pursue their dreams, ultimately transforming not just individual lives but entire communities,” said Dr. Cathy Cantrell, director of the Mindset College Ready GEAR UP program.
In the seventh and final year of the programs, students will be provided with college retention services and enhanced college and career advising to ensure successful graduation from their desired fields.
“With these two transformative awards, we are thrilled to be able to expand our reach and bring GEAR UP services to more deserving students and families in some of the highest need areas in Texas,” said Connie Dawes, director at IPSI. “I look forward to working with our school districts and other partners to continue our mission of providing students with the resources they need to achieve their academic goals and build a better future.”
