Guthrie receives multi-million dollar federal grant to prepare students, families for college

PICTURED (from left to right): Guthrie Board Members S. Janna Pierson, Tina Smedley, Ron Plagg, Board President Chris Schroder, GEAR UP Communications Director Kristi Allison, Board Members Matt Girard and Ben Huskey, and Guthrie Superintendent Dr. Mike Simpson.

Oklahoma will provide important services and information that help Guthrie students and their families better prepare for and succeed in college, thanks to a multi-year federal GEAR UP grant award.

Oklahoma GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federally funded program administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE). The program is designed to prepare middle and high school students for college success through direct student support services, effective educator professional development and leadership opportunities, and parent and family outreach activities and events.

“College can provide young men and women with important knowledge, skills, and experiences. However, it is no secret that navigating the college-going process can be challenging for families, especially for first-generation students,” said Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04). “I am so glad to see Oklahoma receive this multi-year GEAR UP grant, which will provide college-access support to Guthrie students and families and hopefully grow the number of college graduates in our state.”

This is Oklahoma’s fifth consecutive GEAR UP grant. The award will provide approximately $5 million annually over the next seven years to provide education and direct student services to Guthrie and 12 other rural school districts and over 16,000 students in seventh through 12th grade. In addition, Oklahoma GEAR UP will partner with five regional universities to offer support to students through their freshman year of college.

Guthrie Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mike Simpson said about receiving the grant, “Anytime you can enhance the resources to assist our students in furthering their education it is truly a benefit to our community. This grant comes from a time-tested program that has consistently demonstrated their ability to assist students at the next level and we are honored to participate.”

Through the Oklahoma GEAR UP V grant, Guthrie students will receive direct support services including college campus tours; ACT preparation and testing; career exploration and college preparation courses; college application and enrollment assistance; funding for senior concurrent enrollment fees; and one-on-one guidance from GEAR UP staff and coaches at partnering universities. Oklahoma GEAR

UP will offer college access and financial aid information to Guthrie students and families through awareness activities and services, including Oklahoma’s Promise and FAFSA completion assistance.

In addition, GEAR UP will provide multiple services for emergency-certified, alternatively certified, and first-year teachers in the Guthrie school district, including individualized instructional coaching. GEAR UP will also offer professional development opportunities to help teachers and faculty address student achievement, academic interventions and common assessments, with a particular focus on math outcomes.

“A fifth GEAR UP grant represents another tremendous investment in Oklahoma’s future – our students,” said Chancellor Sean Burrage. “By focusing on academic preparation, career exploration, and college planning, we are equipping Oklahomans with the tools they need to succeed in higher education and beyond.”

School districts selected to receive services through the Oklahoma GEAR UP Grant V include Ada, Altus, Clinton, Durant, Grove, Guthrie, Jay, Locust Grove, Noble, Sapulpa, Skiatook, Stilwell, and Tahlequah.

Through the new grant, GEAR UP will partner with the following Oklahoma institutions: University of Central Oklahoma, Northeastern State University, East Central University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

For more information about GEAR UP, visit https://okgearup.org.

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