GEAR UP

GEAR UP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs and is a partnership of the Higher Education Coordinating Board, Office of the Governor, the University of Washington, College Success Foundation, and a number of national, state, and local organizations.

Washington's GEAR UP program encourages low-income middle and high school students to stay in school, study hard, have high expectations, and go to college. The program is funded primarily by the federal government and by state appropriation. It maintains its own GEAR UP website.

GEAR UP programs serve more than 27,000 students in 86 Washington school districts. The GEAR UP program focuses on preparing seventh graders for college success by providing intensive tutoring, mentoring, and college/career planning information throughout their middle and high school years.

The University of Washington offers professional development activities for teachers, and summer institutes for GEAR UP students.

GEAR UP also supports College Success Foundation’s outreach and counseling support services at 16 selected high schools in the state. The services are aimed at helping low-income and disadvantaged students participate in postsecondary education. 

Publications

Washington GEAR UP: Program Update 2009-10

GEAR UP Success Stories - Celebrating 10 years

GEAR UP Fact Sheet